Legendary Saxophonist Kirk Whalum Takes A Journey Through The Past, Present, And Future With New Release, Roundtrip

In a career spanning three decades, 7 GRAMMY® nominations, numerous #1 albums, such as 2005’s The Babyface Songbook, and countless hit songs, including last year’s #1 smash, “Give Me The Reason,” saxophonist Kirk Whalum is unquestionably one of the finest and most widely acclaimed jazz artists of the modern era.

On August 28, 2007, Whalum will deliver his eighteenth album to date. Taking a unique look at the past with an eye toward the future, his new album, Roundtrip, is a progressive retrospective that includes re-imaginings of some of his biggest radio hits (including the first single, a modern re-working of 1987’s “The Wave”), unreleased compositions from Kirk’s early days in Houston, and new songs that hint at the future crossover of Contemporary Jazz into Spoken Work, Hip Hop, and Rap Music.

To help him bring this one of a kind concept to life, Kirk called in three producers, all distinguished musicians with albums of their own, to share in this journey. Philippe Saisse, who produced Kirk’s Cache’ and Colors CD’s, and whose credits include Chaka Khan; Rex Rideout, who produced Kirk’s #1 hit “Give Me the Reason” and whose credits include Luther Vandross; and James McMillan, producer for American Idol’s Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard.

The album also features guest vocalists Shanice and Kim Fields, guitarists Earl Klugh and Jeff Golub, and saxophonist Gerald Albright. Roundtrip is also a family affair. Brother Kevin Whalum (vocals), uncle Hugh “Peanuts” Whalum (vocals), son Kyle Whalum (bass), nephew Kenneth Whalum III (sax) and cousin Caleb Tha Bridge (rap) also make special appearances.

Currently headlining the all-star “Guitars and Saxes” tour alongside Gerald Albright, Tim Bowman, and his frequent collaborator Jeff Golub, Whalum will also continue to tour throughout the year for Roundtrip. In January, he will set sail on The Smooth Jazz Cruise Hosted By Wayman Tisdale.

Tour Dates & Locations
6/2/07 - Miami, FL Lyric Theater Outdoor Plaza w/George Duke
6/3/07 - Hoover, AL The Preserve
6/16/07 - Cincinnati, OH Sawyer Point Park Amphitheatre
6/17/07 - Memphis, TN EP's
6/23/07 - Denver, CO Coors Amphitheatre*
6/24/07 - St. Louis, MO Pageant Theater*
6/27/07 - Lake Forest, CA Saddleback Church
7/1/07 - New York, NY Trribeca PAC 1st Annual STROKE of HOPE Benefit Concert
7/5/07-7/17/07 NORTH SEA JAZZ CRUISE
8/407 - Riverside, CA Riverside Convention Center
8/10/07 - Long Beach, CA Rainbow Lagoon Park*
8/17/07 - Country Club Hills, IL Country Club Hills Theater*
8/18/07 - Concord, CA Sleep Train Pavilion*
8/30/07 - Austin, TX One World Theatre*
8/31/07 - San Antonio, TX San Antonio Convention Center*
8/31/07 - Houston, TX Verizon Theater*
9/1/07 - Nashville, TN Riverfront Park*
9/2/07 - Nashville, TN Riverfront Park
9/8/07 - Jersey City, NJ Liberty State Park*
9/9/07 - Cleveland, OH Severance Hall*
9/21/07 - Newport Beach, CA Hyatt Newporter*
9/22/07 - Scottsdale, AZ Scottsdale Civic Center*
9/23/07 - Las Vegas, NV Spring Mountain State Park*
9/28/07 - Stockton, CA Bob Hope Theater*
9/29/07 - Healdsburg, CA Rodney Strong Winery*
10/19/07 - Richardson, TX Eisemann Center
10/24/07 - Alexandria, VA The Birchmere*
10/25/07 - Annapolis, MD Rams Head*
10/26/07 - New Haven, CT John Lyman Center*
10/28/07 - Glenside, PA Keswick Theater*
1/20/08-1/27/08 Smooth Jazz Cruise Hosted by Wayman Tisdale

*GUITARS & SAXES TOUR

Track Listing
1. Courtney
2. Desperately
3. Ruby Ruby Ruby
4. Glow
5. The Wave
6. Big Ol’ Shoes
7. Inside
8. In A Whisper
9. Roundtrip
10. Back In The Day
11. Afterthought


Press photos and album art can be downloaded at: www.rendezvousmusic.com/presskits