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Join Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum for Kafé Kirk, a monthly jazz series in Crosstown Theater featuring musical and spiritual collaborations with special guest artists. This month’s guest: jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon
Doors at 5 pm | performance at 6 pm
General admission tickets — $45
VIP tickets (includes a meet-and-greet and free CD) — $60
About Kirk Whalum:
Soulful, passionate, stirring … these are the words most often used to describe Kirk’s music. Forged from his Memphis gospel roots and his 1980s initiation into the thriving Houston nightclub scene, Kirk’s big, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his.The 80s 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 No. 1 album. Kirk and Bob also 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).
About Wycliffe Gordon:
Wycliffe Gordon experiences an impressive career touring the world performing to
great acclaim from audiences and critics alike.
Jazz Journalists Association named him “Trombonist of the Year” for the 12th time in
2019, and Downbeat Critics Poll named Wycliffe “Best Trombone” for the fifth time
last year (2018, 2016, 2014, 2013 & 2012). Most recently Wycliffe received the
“Louie Award” honoring his dedication and commitment to the music of Louis
Armstrong, and received the International Trombone Association Award in 2017,
which recognizes the highest level of creative and artistic achievement. In 2015,
Wycliffe was presented the Satchmo award from the Sarasota Jazz Club, received the
Louis Armstrong Memorial Prize presented by the Swing Jazz Culture Foundation,
and was named Artist of the Year (2015) by the Augusta Arts Council. He is also a
past recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Vanguard Award, among others.
In addition to an extremely successful solo career, Gordon tours regularly leading
his quintet, headlining at legendary jazz venues and performing arts centers
throughout the world. He is commissioned frequently, and has an extensive catalog
of original compositions that span the various timbres of jazz and chamber music.
Musicians and ensembles of every caliber perform his music throughout the world
and his arrangement of the theme song to NPR’s “All Things Considered” is heard
daily across the globe.
Gordon is a former veteran member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, the Lincoln
Center Jazz Orchestra and has been a featured guest artist on Billy Taylor’s “Jazz at
the Kennedy Center” Series. Gordon is also one of Americaʼs most persuasive and
committed music educators, and currently serves as full time Artist-in-Residence at
Augusta University in Augusta, GA.
Wycliffe Gordon is a Yamaha Performing Artist and has his own line of Wycliffe
Gordon Pro Signature Mouthpieces by Pickett Brass. Visit www.wycliffegordon.com.
