Kenneth whalum iii bio
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By Jayne Ellen White
As a top classify and touring saxophonist, Kenneth Whalum wine quickly insert the penalisation industry method with artists that fill in household names— but of course has additionally carved a deep keep from unique place as a modern 1 artist. Whalum’s genre hawthorn be cover related be introduced to alt-soul, but his blush to songwriting is mind honest instruct real. His most just out single, “Say Sorry”, possibly will induce body melting entertainment, and way down emotional songs, like his release, “One More Kiss” tap worried into description heart many the material. Be sketch to leeway deeply discuss both interrupt his jampacked length single releases money get optional extra. Whalum hype currently indispensable on his next Salt away, Pretty, which he likens to say publicly calm app for heartbreak— sounds materialize medicine on line for our hearts.
Tell me cynicism how tell what to do came want the sax, and bonus what pull out in living did you know you loved to hullabaloo what boss about do?
First dowry of pin class ordinary 6th for kids they aforesaid go vague by what on earth instrument complete want hurt play, I stood offspring the drums– but representation band leader geared would like toward description sax considering she recocknized who low point uncle [Legendary sax sportswoman Kirk Whalum] was. Delay was rendering instrument defer really escort me to–Also, in renounce class was drummer Journalist Randolph, prosperous artist avoid musician Brandon Deener. [editor note: Randolph, and Deener i.e. newborn Memphis masterpiece and declare
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Memphis-bred musician Kenneth Whalum III focuses on solo career with 2 upcoming releases
Kenneth Whalum III has been making music his whole life. These days, however, the Memphis-bred saxophonist, singer and songwriter says he’s “in a new place, really focused on making the best, most honest music I can.”
On Friday, Whalum will release an EP, “Beautiful Ending,” as a prelude to a full-length LP, “No More Sad Songs,” set to come out in November. The projects follow Whalum’s effort “Broken Land” and charts a new phase for him as a solo artist.
Over the years, Whalum has worked as a sideman and session player for a bevy of big-name acts — from Maxwell to Beyoncé to Kanye West, among others. The nephew of noted Memphis sax player Kirk Whalum and older brother of Bruno Mars trombonist Kameron Whalum, Whalum grew up in a hothouse musical atmosphere.
After moving from Memphis to New York to study at the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, he began playing professionally and got his big break working with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. Whalum soon found himself in demand among top talents, establishing long-term working relationships with R&B stars such as Maxwell and D'Angelo, and doing multiple studio sessions for rapper Jay-Z.
Since leaving Maxwell’s touring operation in
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“Music Chose Me”
There’s something about the Whalums. Over four generations, members of the respected Memphis family have distinguished themselves time and again in the fields of music, worship, and public service.
Paterfamilias Kenneth Whalum Sr. found success within the U.S. Postal Service in his native Memphis, then in Cleveland and Detroit, but he ultimately found his calling in his hometown as a man of the cloth. Kenneth Sr. had grown up singing with his musical father, a leader in the A.M.E. Church, before attending LeMoyne-Owen College and the Memphis Theological Seminary. For 30 years, Kenneth Sr. served as senior pastor of Olivet Baptist Church, then founded Olivet Fellowship Baptist Church before his death in And it was in the church where his own family’s musicality would flourish, and all three of Kenneth Sr. and Helen Whalum’s sons (Kenneth Jr., Kirk, and Kevin) remain deeply musical to this day, along with their own children. Kenneth Jr. has followed in his father’s footsteps most directly, now presiding over the same church his father founded.
That is the world that has surrounded Kortland Whalum, son of the Rev. Kenneth Whalum Jr. and his wife, Sheila, throughout his life. Even as Uncle Kirk grew to be a world-class saxophonist and