Kenny G’s first move at Stephens Auditorium was to flex on his haters.

Born in Seattle as Kenneth Gorelick the iconic saxophonist is a massive global success as one of the best-selling artists of all time, but his ability and easy-listening approach to jazz has attracted criticism from jazz enthusiasts.

Gorelick began his performance Wednesday night wildly soloing among the crowd in the ninth row. His expression is cheeky and his aura prideful as he effortlessly amazes audience members. Phones immediately are drawn to capture the moment, but the in-crowd performance wasn’t just a brief introduction.

He switches instruments, his playing gets faster, his rhythm more complex, audience members have lowered their phones and are now exchanging stunned looks at the mastery they are witnessing. Some are shaking their heads in disbelief.

A packed Stephens Auditorium awaited smooth jazz tunes and holiday favorites when they took their seats for Gorelick’s Iowa stop on his Magical Holiday and Hits tour. Instead of providing an easy listening experience for the audience to calmly absorb Gorelick opted to captivate with unfathomable skill.

World-class musicianship continued when Gorelick left the audience and joined his band on stage. All members of Gorelick’s band had a moment during the performance to shine while he faded into the background.

Bassist Vail Johnson turned a solo arrangement of “Amazing Grace” into a fast and heavy slap-bass awe.

Percussionist Ron Powell delivered an unforgettable percussion solo with lightning fast bongo drums and created seemingly impossible sounds from a tambourine.

Gorelick didn’t stop showing off either.

Throughout his extensive discography Gorelick found success in a consistent smooth jazz sound, but his playing Wednesday took on an almost cocky attitude aimed at impressing.

He performed his hits with speedy solos maintaining a confident demeanor to be envious of. Melodic moments were more so brief breaks in his fast and challenging playing.

Whenever Gorelick took his mouth off of his sax the crowd erupted in appreciation.

Gorelick’s meme-embracing online persona seeped on to stage as he stopped himself from making multiple lewd jokes while engaging the crowd. As a player and as a person he displayed a genuine exuberant personality.

The holiday hits were saved for the show’s second half that surely sent many in the audience home filled with festive spirit.

The true spectacle remained in the first half where a sense of seeing the best musicians in the world made a lasting impact.