Results for "Kirk Whalum"

Kirk Whalum

Johannesburg is a long way from Kirk’s hometown of Memphis, TN. Having grown up a "pastor’s kid," it’s not surprising to learn that Kirk’s warm, melodic sound was birthed in the Baptist church. Born into a musical family, Kirk first expressed his interest in music on the drums, switching to saxophone in Jr. High School when he was "impressed" with the shininess of the sax. Kirk began playing local functions and clubs while still in high school. A music scholarship brought him to Texas Southern University in Houston, beginning his road to musical maturity. "I became enthralled by the "Texas Tenor" sound and was able to spend many years gleaning from Arnett Cobb one of the fathers of that "big" Texas sound." Having built a steady following as a sideman in some of Houston’s top jazz clubs, 1980 saw Kirk stepping out in faith and starting his own band. "Houston was such a cool music town in the early ‘80s

Humanité

By KIRK WHALUM

Label: Mack Avenue Records
Released: 2019
Track listing: Move On Up; Everybody Oughta Be Free; Don’t Get Me Wrong (I’m Grateful); Wake Up Everybody; Wildflower; Get Your Wings Up; Now I Know; SJL; Korogocho; Blow 4U; Peace; We Shall Overcome You; From The East To The West.

Alexander Zonjic & Friends At Middle C Jazz

By MARK SULLIVAN

Alexander Zonjic & Friends Middle C Jazz Charlotte, NC December 21, 2019 Flutist Alexander Zonjic was born in Canada, but has made his home in jny: Detroit for many years. As he was tuning his guitar onstage he chatted with audience members from Windsor (there were several), and from Detroit (lots ...

Kirk Whalum: Humanité

By CHRIS MOSEY

The saxophone solo on Whitney Houston's “I Will Always Love You" was the work of Kirk Whalum. He played too at the memorial concert for African American astronaut Ronald McNair, killed when the space shuttle Challenger blew up during take-off in January 1986. He's no great shakes as a vocalist but Humanité features guest appearances in ...

The Los Cabos Jazz Experience 2018

By WENDY ROSS

Life Luxe Jazz -The Los Cabos Jazz Experience Norman Brown, Boney James, et al. Los Cabos, Baja California, Sur, Mexico November 1-4, 2018 Life Luxe Jazz -The Los Cabos, Jazz Experience took place at the Pueblo Bonita Pacifica Golf and Spa Resort November 1-4. The first annual Life Luxe Jazz ...

Bob Reynolds: Communication Is Key

By R.J. DELUKE

Bob Reynolds, a saxophonist and composer of note with nine recordings under his own name and a work load that has him playing with artists like Larry Carlton, Snarky Puppy, Josh Groban, John Mayer and others, pauses when considering the genre of jazz and how he fits in. Reynolds doesn't have to apply his ...

Long Beach Jazz Festival 2018

By WALTER ATKINS

It was a fantastic feast of musical talent featured at the 31st annual Long Beach Jazz Festival, held at a relaxed Southern California venue near the cool Rainbow Lagoon Park. The event was located next to the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center and the Aquarium. On Sunday night, the long running festival closed with a ...

Making The John Coltrane Jazz Festival in High Point

By LA-FAITHIA WHITE

John Coltrane was born in Hamlet North Carolina on September 23, 1926. When Coltrane was a young child his family moved to the town of High Point, North Carolina where he spent the first seventeen years of his life at 118 Underhill Street. Coltrane showed academic potential at Leonard Street School. Among his classmates ...

Walter Smith III: Jazz Explorer

By R.J. DELUKE

Walter Smith stands straight when he raises his tenor sax to his mouth to embark on a solo, or play enthralling, serpentine, contrapuntal lines in unison with band mates like Ambrose Akinmusire. [Check out “Confessions To My Unborn Daughter" from Akinmusire's When the Heart Emerges Glistening.] It's a muscular sound that emerged from his horn. Authoritative. ...