Grammy® Award-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum says “I’m pretty sure that the average person doesn’t consider music a high calling: it is.”
This is evident as Whalum elevates his Gospel According to Jazz series to a new level with The Gospel According to Jazz Chapter IV DVD. In this documentary-style concert film Whalum chronicles his recording process and offers candid reflections on his career and music. The film not only explores Whalum’s integration of jazz and gospel with rhythm and blues via a series of live performances, but also features a live recording session at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn and showcases his collaborations with Rick Braun, Norman Brown, “Doc” Gibbs, Sheléa, John Stoddart, Gerald Veasley, Kevin Whalum, Kenneth Whalum III and more.
Whalum recently shared with rolling out one of the most memorable moments of his career and his inspiration for one of the songs on Gospel According to Jazz Chapter IV, “After a concert with Whitney in the Rose Garden to honor the great Nelson Mandela, both he and president Clinton came up to me personally to shake my hand and congratulate me for our performance. I wrote a song for Mr. Mandela on Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter IV. It’s titled “Madiba.” This is his tribal name. There are elements of African rhythm and melody in it, and it reminds me of the smells — mostly amazing food — and sounds of South Africa.”
The Gospel According to Jazz Chapter IV releases on DVD today, Tuesday, May 19. Get it now!
