Kafé Kirk with Kirk Whalum and Avery*Sunshine

Doors open at 5pm | Show begins at 6pm
Tickets: General Admission $45 (plus fees)

Crosstown Arts is requesting proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test for this event. Please be prepared to present your vaccination card or a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours at check-in. At-home and rapid tests are accepted. Masks encouraged.

KIRK WHALUM

Soulful, passionate, stirring…these are the words most often used to describe Kirk’s music. Forged from his Memphis, (TN) gospel roots and his 1980‘s initiation into the thriving Houston, TX nightclub scene, Kirk’s big, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his. The 80’s were highlighted by Kirk’s stepping out of his blossoming sideman role and forming his own band. It was there that Kirk 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, Kirk’s first #1 album. As well, Kirk and Bob received a Grammy nomination for their collaboration album, Joined at the Hip. After moving to Los Angeles, Kirk 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.” Kirk 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, and much lauded, Gospel According to Jazz series, (Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4). In addition to his many solo projects, Kirk was also a member of the popular soul/jazz group, BWB, which features Kirk as the “W” of the group with Rick Braun (trumpet) and Norman Brown (guitar).

An ordained minister, Kirk has earned a Masters of Art in Religion. It’s in this spirit that he serves his community in various ways when his touring schedule allows. 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 is currently engaged as a music professor at Visible Music College in his hometown of Memphis.

Kirk 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 honor. A twelve time Grammy nominee, Kirk won his first Grammy award (2011)for Best Gospel Song (“It’s What I Do”––featuring Lalah Hathaway) alongside life-long friend and gifted songwriter, Jerry Peters.

In a career spanning decades, Kirk has a sound that is uniquely his; it is a sound that leaves an indelible imprint on the listener.

AVERY*SUNSHINE

Avery*Sunshine is a singer-songwriter whose music can be described as “the epitome of soul.” A native of Chester, Pennsylvania, her foundation, like many of the great soul singers, is rooted in her experience growing up in the Black church. She honed her craft as a vocal performance student at Spelman College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts. In 2010, Sunshine released her debut album, Avery*Sunshine, a work co-produced by her then musical partner, and future husband, Dana Johnson. The single, “Ugly Part of Me”, hit the airwaves and introduced Sunshine to the world. Her second album, The SunRoom (2014) spawned her first No. 1 single on a Billboard chart with “Call My Name”. She continued to grow her discography with the release of Twenty Sixty Four (2017) and the single “How Will You Remember Me?” (2020).

In 2020, Avery expanded her artistry to the world of beauty, launching Lou*Mack Beauty — a cosmetic company created to encourage women of color to discover, connect to, and celebrate the beauty of our lineage. She also created the Hey Sunshine Show, her own performance platform producing monthly live shows to share with her fans from the comfort of her own home.

Avery*Sunshine’s sound is uplifting, vibrant, and exactly as her namesake suggests, full of sunshine. She brings people together through her riveting stage performances, candid and often humorous stage banter, and optimistic anthems about love and life. She prays that the small space that she occupies in this world reminds everyone to shine as brightly as they can – no matter what. For more visit AverySunshine.com.