Kirk Whalum

On October 13, 2007, a standing room only audience packed Reid Temple AME Church to experience the transforming power of Kirk Whalum’s The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter III. Recorded live by three generations of Whalums and some of the most resounding names in jazz, pop, gospel and R&B, the CD/DVD comes ten years after the first chart-topping Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter I debuted, and six years after the Grammy® nominated, Stellar Award winning Chapter II.

The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter III, in all its breath and breadth, plaintive wailing saxophones, deep and rich harmonies, sensual romance, delightful humor, artful space, and awesome beauty tells HIS story in a way no other music can. The two-disc set, plus a DVD directed by Jim Hanon (End of the Spear; and Miss HIV, for which Kirk wrote the soundtrack) is the most expansive in the series in terms of content and concept. Kirk Whalum and company blow the roof off with subtlety, nuance, inspired performances and a message of faith, hope and love that both encompasses and transcends every point on the musical compass.

Whalum shares the stage with his brother Kevin (vocals); Uncle Peanuts (vocals, sax, and piano); son, Kyle (electric bass); nephews Kenneth III (saxophone) and Kortland (vocals); plus first cousin Caleb tha Bridge (vocals/rap). The unparalleled George Duke, featured on both I and II, returns on keys and is joined by vocalist Lalah Hathaway, guitarist Doc Powell, keyboardist/vocalist John Stoddart, trumpeter/vocalist Aaron Broadus, stand-up bassist, Reginald Veal, percussionist Lenny Castro and Kirk’s bandmate, drummer Sean McCurley. The renowned gospel/R&B writer and producer Jerry Peters adds his soulful B-3 and shares credits with Whalum on two songs and also as album co-producer, along with Hal Sacks.

DISC 1:

01 CALL TO WORSHIP
02 FIT TO BATTLE
03 ANANIAS & SHAPPHIRA
04 INTRODUCTION TO REV
05 REV
06 BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME
07 MAKE ME A BELIEVER
08 HE´ S BEEN JUST THAT GOOD
09 IF YOU EVER NEED ME


CD 2

01 AFRICA JESUS AFRICA
02 YOU ARE EVERYTHING
03 SMILE MEDLEY (PART 1) SMILE
04 SMILE MEDLEY (PART 2) GOD HAS SMILED ON ME
05 IT´ S WHAT I DO
06 THE THRILL IS GONE (BONUS)
07 RUNNING AWAY
08 YOU ARE EVERYTHING (BONUS)