Memphis-born, Grammy-winning jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum returns to the fray with his newest single: "Bah-De-Yah," coming off of his forthcoming album "Epic Cool" which will arrive on May 17 through Mack Avenue Music Group/Artistry Music.
Across his expansive four-decade-long career, Whalum has blazed many trails in contemporary jazz as he infused hits by Luther Vandross or Whitney Houston with a much-needed jolt of soul and fusion.
The jazz innovator plans to push forward the genre once again through his upcoming album, pushing the envelope when it comes to hipness, vitality, soulfulness, and "the vibes."
(Photo : Evelyn Freja)
'Bah-De-Yah,' Kirk Whalum's Next Level at 65
Whalum is perhaps most known for his goosebump-producing and iconic sax solo in Houston's legendary rendition of "I Will Always Love You." however, he is also a known forerunner of genre and style, ever-seeking for a new "twist."
"I'm still on this path trying to do something important," Whalum explains. "At 65, I still feel very young. I feel like I have a mandate to be the very best version of myself and to push down some more doors."
In the wake of his innovations lie over 25 records, including a Grammy-nominated collaboration with piano legend Bob James; a faith-and-soul melding project: "Gospel According to Jazz" series; and a trio of records with his band: Braun-Whalum-Brown (BWB).
All of this, alongside work from notable cats like the late Joey DeFrancesco to legends of the scene like Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, and Larry Carlton.
Pursuing newer heights of his ever-evolving goal, Whalum partnered up with Swiss-Nigerian producer and songwriter Greg Manning, whom he first met as a keyboardist after being introduced by his guitarist Jonathan Butler.
"He's European and yet he has an African soul," Whalum said of Manning. "I wanted him to bring his classical training together with his understanding of traditional jazz for this project."
The result of this endeavor? "Bah-De-Yah," a project that "represents what it feels like to love life," as per Whalum. The record itself comprises over eleven tracks representing the artist's highlights across his well-accomplished oeuvre, kicking off with the reveling funk of his latest release.
You can now pre-save and pre-order physical copies of "Epic Cool" by clicking here. As for "Bah-De-Yah," take a listen to the latest single right below.
Upcoming Kirk Whalum Tour Dates
In commemoration of his album's eventual release, Whalum will be going on tour to bring the soul of "Epic Cool" across the world. A list of available tour dates can be found below and will be updated accordingly:
April 6 - 7 - Berks Jazz Festival - Reading, PA
April 12 - Berk Jazz Festival - Reading, PA
April 30 - May 14 - Dave Koz and Friends at Sea 2024 - Athens, Greece
June 2 - Kafé Kirk - Memphis, TN
June 8 - Thornton Winery - Temecula, CA
June 21 - 23 - Blues Alley Club - Washington, DC
June 26 - 27 - Blue Note - Tokyo, Japan
July 26 - 28 - The Jazz Kitchen - Indianapolis, IN
August 11 - Long Beach Jazz Festival - Long Beach, CA
August 16 - Norfolk Jazz Festival - Norfolk, VA
August 21 - Aretha Franklin Amphitheater - Detroit, MI
August 23 - Fresh Coast Jazz Festival - Milwaukee, WI
August 31 - Park Evans Amphitheater - Cleveland, OH
September 12 - 15 - Dimitriou's Jazz Alley - Seattle, WA
September 27 - Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts - New Orleans, LA
For more information, visit https://kirkwhalum.com/.
