Kirk Whalum
@ the Union Chapel, London
27 June 2011

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Biography

Soulful, passionate, stirring...these are the words most often used to describe Kirk Whalum’s music. Forged from his Memphis, (TN) gospel roots and his 1980’s initiation into the thriving Houston, TX nightclub scene, Whalum’s big, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his. The 80’s were highlighted by Whalum’s stepping out of his blossoming sideman role and forming his own band. It was there that Whalum ultimately developed both his “voice” and songwriting in the crucible of the local club scene - especially at a rooftop club called Cody’s. It was also in Houston where jazz pianist Bob James “discovered” him and brought him on tour, which led to five successful albums with Columbia Records, including “Cache”, Whalum’s first #1 album. As well, Kirk Whalum and Bob James received a Grammy nomination for their collaboration album, “Joined at the Hip”. After moving to Los Angeles, Whalum became an in demand session player for top artists like, Barbara Streisand, Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross, Larry Carlton, Quincy Jones and most notably, Whitney Houston, amongst many others. It’s his sax heard on the mega-hit, “I Will Always Love You.” Whalum soon followed that career high point with his phenomenal hit album released on Warner Bros. Records, “For You”, perhaps the most successful of over 25 solo recordings to date; others include his eclectic “Gospel According to Jazz” series,(Chapters 1, 2 and 3).

An ordained minister, Kirk Whalum has earned his Masters of Art in Religion. It’s in this spirit that he serves his community, frequently performing at nursing homes, schools and missions. There is also his daily fifteen minute podcast, Bible In Your Ear (BIYE), in which he invites you to listen along as he reads through the Bible in a year. In addition to music and ministry, Kirk has a passion to educate young, aspiring musicians and as such he currently serves as President/CEO of the STAX Music Academy and the STAX Museum of American Soul Music in his hometown of Memphis, TN.

Kirk Whalum is the recipient of numerous awards and acknowledgements for his musical excellence including three Dove Award nominations, an NAACP Image Award nomination and has won two Stellar Awards-Gospel music’s highest honour. An eleven time Grammy nominee, Whalum won his first Grammy award for Best Gospel Song (“It’s What I Do”-featuring Lalah Hathaway) alongside life-long friend and gifted writer, Jerry Peters.