Watch Mack Avenue Records jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum and the world-renowned Lalah Hathaway on “The Mo’Nique Show” on Thursday, March 24 on BET at 11 p.m. EST/10 CST. Whalum and Hathaway will perform two songs, and give an insightful interview to the Academy Award-winning hostess, Monique.
Whalum is establishing a first for a jazz artist by proving that there are no barriers when it comes to great music. Whalum scored four Grammy nominations in three diverse categories — pop, R&B and gospel for two CDs: The Gospel According to Jazz: Chapter III (GATJ3) and Everything Is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway, released March and August of 2010, respectively. He took home his first GRAMMY ® as the winner of the “Best Gospel Song” category for his hit song, “It’s What I Do” featuring Lalah Hathaway from Gospel According to Jazz: Chapter III (Mack Avenue).
Whalum has been a recording artist for 25 years and has over 25 solo recordings to date. He is an ordained minister with a Masters of Art in Religion. 2010 was a whirlwind of successes for Kirk Whalum. Earlier in the year The Gospel According to Jazz-Chapter III (GATJ3) debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Jazz Album chart and No. 11 on the Billboard Gospel Chart while just a few months later the tribute CD Everything Is Everything debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Jazz Chart. It’s no surprise that Whalum is breaking new ground.
January, however, was a bittersweet month for Whalum and Hathaway connoisseurs, as it will mark the 32nd anniversary of the tragic death of Donny Hathaway. Although brief, Hathaway’s career left a legacy that influenced artists in all genres; from gospel to rock-n-roll, that many artists have covered Hathaway but none like Whalum. Everything Is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway is the consummate interpretation of Hathaway’s musical legacy.
Contact: Jalila Larsuel (213-369-4362) – [email protected]
About “The Mo’Nique Show”
Carving out a well-deserved spot on the late-night talk show circuit, comedienne Mo’Nique takes the helm as host, granting BET viewers VIP access to the hottest party on television. From A-list celebrity guests to sizzling performances by the hottest musical artists in the game, Mo’Nique delivers a fun-filled hour of entertainment every night. With a resident deejay to keep members of the studio audience on their feet, and Mo’Nique bringing the funny as only she can, “THE MO’NIQUE SHOW” will undoubtedly force viewers to extend their bedtime an extra hour. BET’s new late-night show bridges the gap between “old school” and today’s entertainment culture through innovative and humorous segments that pay homage to legendary stars as well as spotlight current celebrities. The show will celebrate their contributions to better our communities and the world at large.
