Kirk Whalum at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club

Soulful, passionate, stirring...these are the words most often used to describe Kirks music. Forged from his Memphis, (TN) gospel roots and his 1980s initiation into the thriving Houston, TX nightclub scene, Kirks big, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his. The 80s were highlighted by Kirks 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 sceneespecially at a rooftop club called Codys. 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, Kirks 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,...

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Soulful, passionate, stirring...these are the words most often used to describe Kirks music. Forged from his Memphis, (TN) gospel roots and his 1980s initiation into the thriving Houston, TX nightclub scene, Kirks big, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his. The 80s were highlighted by Kirks 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 sceneespecially at a rooftop club called Codys. 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, Kirks 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,

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