Kirk Whalum (born July 11, 1958) is an American smooth jazz saxophonist and songwriter. He toured with Whitney Houston for more than seven years and soloed in her single "I Will Always Love You", the best-selling single by a female artist in music history. He has recorded a series of well received solo albums and film soundtracks, with music ranging from pop to R&B to smooth jazz. Kirk’s musical accomplishments have brought him a total of 12 Grammy nominations.Kirk won his first Grammy award in 2011 for Best Gospel Song (“It’s What I Do”, featuring Lalah Hathaway) alongside lifelong friend and gifted writer, Jerry Peters.
Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance, Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance, Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Album
Movies
Miss HIV, The Prince of Tides
Star Sign
Cancer
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Jean-Michel Jarre: A Journey Into Sound
2015
TV Movie documentary musician: sax soloist
Kirk Whalum: The Gospel According to Jazz (IV)
2015
music producer
Cousins
1989
musician: sax soloist
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Only You
1994
performer: "Livin' In The Streets" / writer: "Livin' In The Streets"
Cousins
1989
"Adulterer's Blues", "Adulterer's Blues Two"
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Kirk Whalum: The Gospel According to Jazz (IV)
2015
The Prince of Tides
1991
Saxophonist
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Little Town of Bethlehem
2010
Video documentary
Miss HIV
2007
Documentary
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Kirk Whalum: The Gospel According to Jazz (IV)
2015
executive producer
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Praise the Lord
2015
TV Series
Himself
Marcus
2015
Video documentary
Himself
Take Me to the River
2014
Documentary
Himself
The Mo'Nique Show
2011
TV Series
Himself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1993-2010
TV Series
Himself - Guest Musician / Himself
18th Annual Trumpet Awards
2010
TV Special
Himself
Christmas Glory: In the Key of Love
2007
TV Special
21st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards
2006
TV Special
Himself
The Jazzspel with Eric J
2003
TV Series
Himself (2003-2008)
Classic Whitney
1997
TV Movie
Himself
Soul Train
1993
TV Series documentary
Guest
An American Reunion: The People's Inaugural Celebration
1993
TV Movie
Himself
Larry Carlton: Live
1987
Video documentary
Jean Michel Jarre Rendez-vous Houston: A City in Concert
1986
TV Special
Alto Saxophone
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2016
Grammy
Grammy Awards
Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
For the album "The Gospel According to Jazz, Volume IV."
2016
Image Award
Image Awards
Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)
Album: "The Gospel According to Jazz - Chapter IV"
Known for movies
Only You (1994) as Soundtrack
Cousins (1989) as Music Department
The Jazzspel with Eric J (2003) as Himself (2003-2008)
$200,000
