In today’s episode, your host Carl Brown is joined by Kirk Whalum. Kirk was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Melrose High School and Texas Southern University, where he was a member of the renowned Ocean of Soul Marching Band. In addition to singing in his father's church choir, he learned to love music from his grandmother, Thelma Twigg Whalum, a piano teacher. Kirk has recorded a series of well received solo albums and film soundtracks, with music ranging from pop to R&B to smooth jazz.

Kirk shares how he continues to have so much success and stay at the top of his game. He also talks about how he prepares for a live show. In the ‘Bout It or Doubt It' segment, you’ll hear his answers about Self Driving Vehicles and Space Travel. Tune in to this episode and hear more about Kirk Whalum.

Highlights:

How have you continued to have so much success and stay at the top of your game for all this time?

02:58 – I heard something the other day, someone said to be relevant you just have to be willing to change, you have to be willing to adapt and to reinvent yourself.

What are you like just before you go on stage?

27:26 – I'm excited to get out, I`m prayerful, I try to focus and having tea helps me focus, especially green tea.

Who would you say are some of your top musical influences?

33:52 – The biggest was my Uncle Peanuts. He was the first person I heard play the saxophone up-close and personally who was really good at it.

What is it like when you all get together as a family, is there a concert at the house?

48:55 – There is almost no music when we get together as a family. We just go eating and talking and playing cards or whatever. Except my son, he's the curator of any kind of music, he's always turning us on to new stuff.

Contact

Fresh Coast Jazz Festival

Kirk Whalum