Grammy winner Saxophonist Kirk Whalum has a calling that words can’t explain. For the last five years Kirk has been spreading the ‘message’ through his acclaimed series The Gospel According To Jazz, Chapters I – III.
Now, he’s preparing to release The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter IV (two-disc, 19-song CD and a feature-length DVD) on March 24, 2015, which is unparalleled growth of the evolution of the GATJ series into the upcoming “docu-musical’ saluting the music and individuals, both past and present.
Grammy winner Saxophonist Kirk Whalum has a calling that words can’t explain. For the last five years Kirk has been spreading the ‘message’ through his acclaimed series The Gospel According To Jazz, Chapters I – III.
Now, he’s preparing to release The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter IV (two-disc, 19-song CD and a feature-length DVD) on March 24, 2015, which is unparalleled growth of the evolution of the GATJ series into the upcoming “docu-musical’ saluting the music and individuals, both past and present.
The Gospel According To Jazz, Chapter IV, part concert film and part documentary, Whalum and an all-star ensemble are captured in performance communicating at the highest level, in a language with no words. Whalum addresses the chaos of some of today's most pressing social tensions such as gun violence, healthcare, and homelessness with a message of peace, love and redemption. He uses a collection of tunes inspired by family, friends, influencers and heroes including Nelson Mandela, President Barack Obama, John Coltrane, Paul McCartney, Waymon Tisdale, George Duke, and Curtis Mayfield.
Some of the concert highlights include a rendition of "Let 'em In", Paul McCartney's song of inclusion that hints at immigration and "Just As I Am” another nod to tolerance. "Keep on Pushin’" the Curtis Mayfield's classic that preaches hope and empowerment so needed in our inner-cities. "My Hero" is a tribute to President Barack Obama and others. "There" is also a touching tribute to the great George Duke who played on all of the three previous The Gospel According To Jazz, Chapters I – III and passed away planning to perform Chapter IV. "Un Amor Supremo" is Spanish style arrangement and tribute to John Coltrane's epic "A Love Supreme." “Triage” is a requiem to American gun violence and "I See You" looks at the invisibility of homelessness. "Can't Stay Blue" is a tribute to his Memphis roots, "Madiba" is a tribute to Nelson Mandela and both "Motherless Child" and "Love is the Answer" speak for themselves.