In its eighth year, the quarterly jazz series “Kafé Kirk” continues to feature stars from around the globe, and aptly, from music mecca Memphis. Kirk Whalum, the visionary, curator and artist in residence, believes that Memphis is the perfect place for a jazz home.
Though Whalum has played all over the world with numerous A-list artists — the late Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Quincy Jones, and Dave Koz, to name a few — he too calls his native Memphis home.
And Sunday, March 22, at Crosstown Theater, he will welcome his world-renowned nephew, Kenneth T. Walum III, back home for an unprecedented “Kafé Kirk.”
“I am so geeked about this show! To have my nephew, who is busy doing his own thing, join me — I’ve had his brothers, Kameron and Kortland, with me on this show before,” said an excited Whalum. “But he plays my instrument — we’re both saxophonists, so I am very excited!”
Whalum shared details about the “diagonal continuum” that this particular partnership represents.
“I was influenced by my uncle, Uncle Hugh ‘Peanuts’ Whalum, who is featured on my ‘Gospel According to Jazz #3’ album,” said Whalum. “He’s in Heaven now. But now I get to feature my nephew.”
Kenneth Whalum III, can be found playing and singing all over the world — sound familiar? A quick Facebook search reveals Whalum, III, having recently played with Outkast for their induction into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, serving as musical director for rapper Ludacris, and ending 2025 at the Blue Note in Los Angeles.
“To be gainfully employed, doing something you love on a broad level, is a blessing. It’s magical,” said Whalum. “And to see the next generation (doing it) is amazing.”
Part of that next generation of Whalum musicians is Whalum’s son, Kyle, who lives in Los Angeles and is working with Katy Perry, after having worked with Kelly Clarkson, the first “American Idol” winner.
“He was on the Grammy’s this year with Sabrina Carpenter,” said Whalum of his son. “He’s done a lot of different things, and he’s the only new generation Whalum who hasn’t done our series.” (Foreshadowing, maybe?)
The Whalums continue to be a global force in pop, hip hop, jazz and more.
And while Kirk Whalum, who speaks three languages, could have chosen to live anywhere — as he did with his family in France in the 90s — and anchor his series anywhere, he chose his hometown.
“I came home in 2006, before my father transitioned, and Ruby (his wife) and I fell in love with Memphis, seeing and experiencing it for the first time as adults,” said Whalum. “Some said Memphis wouldn’t give jazz a chance, but we knew otherwise.”
Whalum shared a story about how when living in France, Memphis even showed up in a Burger King, complete with Beale Street signs, instruments, Elvis photos and other elements of Memphis blues and soul.
“Memphis has always been global, we’re just too close to it to see what it is,” said Whalum.
For Sunday’s Kafé Kirk series, the uncle-nephew duo will join a cast of Memphis musicians, including Garry Goin (guitar), Jackie Clark (bass), Robinson Bridgeforth (drums) and Terrance “T.” Brown (keys) to share with Memphis what the world gets to behold.
If you’re looking for that big band, brass sound, this is also where you will find it. Whalum is featuring two more gifted wind instrument artists: Kirk Smothers and Jim Spake, who played on the Memphis-recorded “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars.
“Horns are a big part of that ‘Memphis Sound’,” said Whalum. “And these guys represent that Stax legacy of music, back when they were breaking barriers by being bi-racial, with Steve Cropper and Booker T & the MGs.”
The collective will perform originals from Kenneth Whalum III, some of Kirk Whalum’s originals and a few songs from the “Memphis Soul Stew” album by King Curtis, who was not originally from Memphis but recognized the power and pull of Memphis music.
How is Memphis Soul Stew made? According to King Curtis on his 1971 recording, the recipe calls for, “Half a teacup of bass, a pound of fatback drums, four tablespoons of boiling Memphis guitars and just a little pinch of organ, a half a pint of horns. Place on the burner and bring to a boil. That’s it right there. Now beat … well.”
That, and so much more, is just what this collective of global musicians plans to share in this installment of “Kafé Kirk.”
Details: “Kafé Kirk” is Sunday, March 22, at Crosstown Theater at Crosstown Concourse. Doors open at 5 p.m.; show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are available here.
