Kirk Whalum - Saxophone Legend. Music & Artists

We sat down with Grammy Award winner Kirk Whalum in Memphis, Tennessee. He shares thoughtful advice for up and coming musicians, tells inspiring stories from his career, and talks about switching to a P. Mauriat saxophone after 30+ years.
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00:00 - Trailer
00:35 - Ian Intro
00:55 - Mark & Ian Banter
02:52 - Kirk Intro - Origin of the name Whalum
04:21 - What was your music education like growing up in Memphis?
06:51 - One piece of advice for a musician starting out
08:50 - Kirk on his friendship and working with Dr. Ron McNair
10:35 - Performing at RENDEZ-VOUS HOUSTON
11:33 - Performing with Whitney Houston in South Africa at the end of Apartheid
13:27 - What does Kirk Whalum look for in a great rhythm section?
16:49 - Kirk discovers P. Mauriat
19:16 - How a mishap on SNL lead to the Kirk Whalum signature neck
21:28 - What does the neck do to your tone?
22:07 - Why P. Mauriat?
22:55 - Montreux Jazz Fest ’99
28:03 - Ian Closing statements
28:20 - Credits
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Produced by
Melissa Reyes, Ian Scott Pullens, Mark Gauthier, and Owen Rye.
Special Thanks
Ken Hall
Crosstown Concourse
This Episode was sponsored by
The P. Mauriat PMXT-66RBX 20th Anniversary Edition Tenor Saxophone
www.musicarts.com/p-mauriat-p...
Music & Artists is presented by
your source for Instruments, Lessons, Rentals, & Repairs:
Music & Arts, Musicians Made Here.
Musicarts.com

[@kgjudd]

Hello Kirk. I'm sure you won't see this but my experience with you began in Houston 1980 at Steak and Ale and you guys were just starting. Todd Rick the Judge. Then Cody's, then the Roof. Several years later I saw you again at Baxters in Austin and I still remember when I walked in you bowed to me in the middle of a solo. Great times. Then another time at a private party we played ping pong at a house on Lake Travis. Saw you again at the Paramount with you and Larry Carlton. Every time I saw you and I asked you to sign something you always said God Loves You. I have the albums and pictures and cherish the moments. You are such a great musician. Oh yea I forgot the time I saw you at the Texas Union Center and you showed me some jewelry. A saxophone with 3 rubys. And you said Ruby Ruby Ruby. A song you wrote for your wife. I miss seeing you. Great interview. Take care and I hope you get this comment.

[@quisowens8025]

U seen him play with bob james too? LLivee?

[@caroh67]

What a great Interview. Great Questions from you and great Answers and Information from one of my Sax Heroes. He is such a wonderful awesome Player and human being.
His Sound is everything .

[@gloriaallen8051]

Fabulous Interview revealing the Multiplicity of Kirk's Spectacular Talents Blended In His Performace! 💖

[@HayKay_]

Kirk Whalum is one of those who made me fall in love with the Tenor sax. He has a big, bold, smooth, and vibrant sound. He can adjust his sound to any genre of music. I had to find out the sax he played and bought a Keilwerth Tenor. Although Kirk Whalum now plays the P. Mauriat, I still enjoy listening to his albums.

[@Bwahzehdezooner]

Stax is the coolest label ever.

[@davidclaro152]

Wow! Thank you so much for your video. This was very inspirational on many levels.

[@MusicArtsPresents]

You are so welcome!

[@Fbarrett]

When did spike Lee learn to play the saxophone?😁

[@kwootamuckbear9294]

☮️🎵🎶🎷

[@kwootamuckbear9294]

Who made the neck strap 🤔