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Kenneth Whalum III

A remarkable bandleader, composer, arranger, and tenor saxophonist, New York City-based jazz musician Kenneth Whalum has set a new direction in music that can be described as creatively engaging, intense, and artistically real, to push the conventional boundaries of contemporary emerging artists. Whalum fuses together straight-ahead jazz, pop, soul, gospel, R&B, blues, and country—-creating Picasso-like colors and brimming textures, of even richer musical hues. His music creates a soundscape of lyrical cities�"towering sounds of romance and love, ornate acoustic funky rhythms, bridging emotion and melody, song and dance, wonder and faith. And it is within that eternal city, in the depths of our hearts, where we dream, we cry, and we laugh, but altogether never forget the transforming sensibility of music. Whalum’s sax playing makes us feel our vital aliveness. Catch Whalum in a performance, and at once, he will pull down his dark shades, grab his tenor sax, and transform the room into a sacred space, our believing ground of warmth and beauty, tragedy and hope; we follow him as he plunges into our private moments—sweat brimming from his forehead—he gets inside the music. Whalum has performed and recorded along side this generation’s most renowned entertainers, singers, and musicians; including R&B crooner Maxwell, rap star Jay Z, and jazz stars Robert Glasper, Chris Dave, and his own uncle, Grammy-award winning musician Kirk Whalum; playing worldwide to sold-out audiences in sport arenas, concert halls, summer music festivals, or dim-lit NYC jazz clubs. Last year, he released his highly anticipated album, To Those Who Believe, which marked a bold, inventive direction for NYC’s vibrant young jazz community. Whalum’s own musical journey is defined by strong family support, his religious background, and childhood exposure to music education. He grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and was exposed to the city’s rich cultural tradition. He originally started to develop as a drummer at Kirby Middle School but switched to the saxophone, at the request of his teacher. Thereafter, Whalum played professionally around town and in church, The New Olivet Baptist Church, under the leadership of his father, Rev. Kenneth T. Whalum Jr. Further musical development can also be attributed to his uncle, 8-time Grammy nominated saxophonist and recording artist Kirk Whalum. He also cites his great uncle Hugh “Peanuts’ Whalum, who has played with the legendary Lionel Hampton and Miles Davis, as a major contributor to his development. The historic legacy of Memphis’ music life is reflected in Whalum’s playing.

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Film Review

Kenneth Whalum III: Taking Jazz Away From The Norm

Read "Kenneth Whalum III: Taking Jazz Away From The Norm" reviewed by K. Shackelford


Kenneth Whalum III, a young jazz saxophonist, continues to grow and shine with his musical exploits. He's performed and helped shaped the live musical experiences of today's top hip-hop artists including Ludacris and Jay-Z, in addition to pop stars such as Justin Timberlake, Ciara and Bruno Mars. One person described Whalum's sound as “creatively engaging, intense, and artistically real, pushing the conventional boundaries of contemporary emerging artists." You can also hear him on the recently released The Gospel According To ...

216
Album Review

Kenneth Whalum III: To Those Who Believe

Read "To Those Who Believe" reviewed by Jonathan Wertheim


Perhaps three really is the magic number--at least for today's tenor saxophonists. Walter Smith III has been making waves in the contemporary jazz world for years now, but another “three" has been developing a distinctive and fresh style, albeit more quietly. Kenneth Whalum III is the most recent addition to a venerated musical family. The saxophonist released To Those Who Believe, his self-produced debut, at the end of 2010. It's not just a first release, however, it's ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Journey

Space Time Records
2015

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To Those Who Believe

Self Produced
2011

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To Those Who Believe

Self Produced
2010

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