a Tribute to George Duke Kirk Whalum, Lalah Hathaway & Jonathan Butler
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 Gospel According to Jazz series, (Chapters 1, 2 and 3). An ordained minister, Kirk has earned his Masters of Art in Religion. 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. An eleven time Grammy nominee, Kirk won his first Grammy award for Best Gospel Song (“It’s What I Do”-featuring Lalah Hathaway) alongside life-long friend and gifted writer, Jerry Peters. Lalah Hathaway Born to R&B/Soul music royalty, most people know her simply as the daughter of late Soul music legend, Donny Hathaway. But there is more to Lalah Hathaway than that. A trained pianist and vocalist, she is a graduate of the Berklee School of Music and her career has spanned two decades. She made her music debut in 1990 on Virgin Records with the self-titled album Lalah Hathaway. In 2008, Lalah released her 4th solo album Self Portrait, which garnered her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. 21 years after the release of her first LP, her career continues to thrive. In total her work includes multiple solo releases, guest collaborations and a steady stream of unforgettable live performances. Ms. Hathaway has recorded and toured with several legendary acts including George Benson, Joe Sample, George Duke, Marcus Miller, Mary J. Blige, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, David Sanborn, Carl Thomas, Angie Stone, Robert Glasper, Grover Washington, Esperanza Spalding, and Prince. Jonathan Butler Born in Cape Town, Butler was the youngest of 12 children. He discovered a gift for music early in life and began singing and playing guitar at age seven. As a child, he traveled all over South Africa performing with a troupe of 100 children, getting a first hand look at the country’s disturbing dichotomy---devastating poverty and extreme affluence that existed under Apartheid. Butler signed his first record deal as a teen and became the first black artist played on white South African stations. “That was 1974 and it was a song titled ‘Please Stay,’” Butler recalls of the historic tune, which won a Sarie Award, the South African equivalent of a Grammy. “Back then I was with an independent label called CCP Productions.” Butler has toured the world with such acclaimed artists as Kirk Whalum, Dave Koz and Ruby Turner. He’s earned Grammy nominations and rave reviews in the jazz and R&B fields, but his gospel albums hold a special place in his heart. “I wrote ‘Falling In Love With Jesus’ and that opened the door for me to walk seamlessly into my ministry.”