An Evening with Kirk Whalum

Kirk Whalum plays Middle C Jazz on Friday, December 4, in Charlotte's Second Ward. He's a Grammy-winning contemporary jazz and gospel tenor saxophonist with a big, rich sound that goes back to his Memphis gospel roots. He's won a Grammy and been nominated twelve times, and he's the saxophonist behind Whitney Houston's solo on "I Will Always Love You."

Whalum got his start after jazz pianist Bob James discovered him at a Houston rooftop club. From there he stepped out as a soloist with five early albums, including his first number one, Cache, and the Grammy-nominated Joined at the Hip. He's spent much of his career as a collaborator for Barbra Streisand, Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross, Quincy Jones, and Larry Carlton. His latest release, Epic Cool, landed in the Top 20 of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.

Beyond the recording studio, he's earned a brass note on the Memphis Walk of Fame and a star on the Nashville Walk of Fame, along with two Stellar Awards, three Dove Award nominations, and an NAACP Image Award nomination. Middle C Jazz is a live-jazz venue in Charlotte's Second Ward that hosts blues and smooth jazz acts.

The show starts at 8:30 PM, with doors opening at 7:45 PM. General admission is $76.15, and Baby Grand members get in for $62.15.