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: Grammy-winning jazz keyboardist, arranger, and record producer Bob James.
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 Bob James:
From his early days in Marshall, MO, Bob James’ music has captivated audiences throughout the world.
Known primarily as a jazz artist, he has influenced musical genres from Classical to Hip-Hop. His work at the groundbreaking record label CTI allowed James to hone his skills on projects for Hank Crawford, Grover Washington Jr., and Paul Simon among others.
The release of his solo album, One, launched a stellar career of recordings and performances. His gold selling album, Touchdown included his composition “Angela” which became the theme song for the sitcom, Taxi.
More recently Mr. James has become known as a pioneering member of the best-selling
contemporary jazz group Fourplay, whose members over the years have included guitarists Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, and the late Chuck Loeb along with Nathan East on bass and Harvey Mason on drums.
While James is recognized as one of the progenitors of smooth jazz, his music has also had a profound effect on hip hop, having been sampled often. Two of James’ songs —“Nautilus” from 1974’s One and “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” from 1975’s Two — are among the most sampled in history.
James continues to draw sold-out audiences worldwide, not only as a solo artist, but with
collaborations with artist such as David Sanborn, Marcus Miller and The Bob James Trio.
The career of Bob James is long, varied and continues to evolve at every turn.
