Biography
11 July 1958, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. An accomplished tenor saxophonist, from the mid-80s onwards Whalum has found a lucrative niche playing smooth jazz. Raised in Memphis, he began playing in his father’s church choir before graduating to jazz during high school. He formed his own band while studying at Texas Southern University in Houston, and received his first break when opening for pianist Bob James one evening. James invited Whalum to New York to play on his 1984 set 12. A recording contract with Columbia Records followed, with Whalum releasing five successful albums for their Floppy Disk imprint. In 1996, he collaborated with James on the Grammy-nominated Joined At The Hip, and the following year signed a new contract with Warner Brothers Records. His debut for the label, Colors, was informed by Whalum’s position as president of the Hearts Against Racism & Prejudice (H.A.R.P.) association. Two contrasting releases, The...
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