The scenario: A titan tenor saxophone stylist set apart, amongst other things, by his very personal sound decides to go into the studio with a singer he admires and feels is vastly underrated. There are many objectives for the session, top among them being to record an album of ballads and to garner wider recognition for the singer through the fans of the sax player and the vocalist s sheer talent.

John Coltrane teaming up with Johnny Hartman in 1963...and Kirk Whalum s latest project featuring his brother Kevin entitled Romance Language (in spite of the many years that separate these recordings) bear many more similarities than differences. In fact the end result is exactly the same; romance at a level so intense that verbal language alone is inadequate to portray. Here s an attempt: easily two of the most romantic jazz albums of their respective eras.

While the Whalums are hardly the first modern duo to re-imagine the six songs that make up the eponymous classic from Coltrane and Hartman, they are among the first with the same surname and among the first to trust the (expertly executed) warmth and soul of electric accompaniment. With sax player as leader, the same inspiration and objective of the original duo recording applies here. Coltrane is quoted as saying he chose the voice that stuck in my mind somewhere. Kevin s voice is indeed stuck to Kirk s very being.

2010 two CD release from the Jazz saxophonist. Kirk Whalum elevates his award winning Gospel According To Jazz series to a new level with a live-recorded double CD set featuring the best in Contemporary Jazz, Gospel and Urban music. This effort, both visually and audibly, demonstrates the deep connections between Gospel and Jazz. Its revised renditions of commonly known tunes socially connect with the listener on a horizontal level that seeks to usher in a vertical spiritual relationship. Features guest appearances from George Duke, Lalah hathaway, Doc Powell and others.

Donny Hathaway would have been 65 years old on October 1,2010. Although the passing of this visionary and multi-talented artist left a significant void, his pervasive influence leaves an indelible mark on popular music. Donny's genius as a vocalist, pianist, composer and arranger was evident in his ability to combine his unparalleled musical gifts with a deep spirituality that permeated all of his endeavors.

There could be no better standard bearer for Hathaway's work than tenor saxophon'ist Kirk whalum, whose work has similarly crossed the boundaries between R&B, gospel and jazz with an emotional immediacy that is beyond compare. Everything is Everything consummates the chart-topping For You and The Babyface Songbook to create a trilogy that brilliantly exhibit Kirk's singular interpretive skills, and further advances the career of this 8-time Grammy nominee.

Highlights include "You Had To Know," featuring a headelt perfomance by Donny's daughter, Lalah, and neo-soul crooner Musiq Soulchild's retro take on "We're Still Friends." Wonderful arrangements by Gil Goldstein and John Stoddart, with contributions from contemporary jazz masters Rick Braun, Jeff Golub and Christian McBride, as well as pedal steel scorcher Robert Randolph, come together with Whalum's passionate tenor to tell the musical story of one of the most important figures in polular music.

This live recording by world-renowned tenor saxophonist Kirk Whalum features guest artists George Duke, Jonathan Butler, Kim Burrell, and Tata Vega.
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: WHALUM,KIRK
Title: GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JAZZ-CHAPTER 11
Street Release Date: 10/29/2002
Domestic
Genre: JAZZ

Featuring Bob James, Paul Jackson, Jr., Peter White, David Porter, and Melinda Doolittle
From the moment that master keyboardist Bob James first heard Kirk Whalum opening up for him in Houston in 1984, it was clear that the brilliantly soulful saxophonist would become a major force in the music industry. Since that time, his playing has been featured on some of the most successful recordings of the past twenty years, including singles by Luther Vandross, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones, and most notably Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You". In addition, he has regularly collaborated with the most important instrumental artists, including George Benson, George Duke, Larry Carlton, Norman Brown, Rick Braun, and of course Bob James.

But it has been through his own recordings that Whalum has established himself alongside David Sanborn and Grover Washington, Jr. as one of the three most influential saxophonists in Contemporary Jazz.

An ordained minister, Whalum can't help but infuse his playing with the deepest sense of spiritual gospel soul. As much as any instrumentalist performing today, his playing rewards the listener with the privilege of feeling the direct connection between his pure emotion and the deeply moving sound of his instrument.

Featuring several #1 Smooth Jazz singles ("My All", "Now 'til Forever", etc) in addition to rousing soul gospel ("All I Need") and up through "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" featuring the vocals of American Idol star Melinda Doolittle from his latest chart-topping Babyface Songbook project, Ultimate Kirk Whalum is a tour de force of contemporary saxophone, making a case for Kirk Whalum as one of the most important artists of his generation.

Legendary saxophonist Kirk Whalum's new studio album, Roundtrip, is a journey through the past, present, and the future of his music. Featuring new jazz compositions, fresh re-imaginings of his career defining hits, and a glimpse at his next innovative musical destination. In a career spanning three decades, 7 Grammy nominations, numerous #1 albums, such as 2005's The Babyface Songbook.

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: WHALUM,KIRK
Title: GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JAZZ
Street Release Date: 10/13/1998
Domestic
Genre: JAZZ