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Los Angeles, CA — Mack Avenue Records saxophonist Kirk Whalum is establishing a first for a an artist of any genre by proving that there are no barriers when it comes to great music. Whalum scored four GRAMMY® nominations in three diverse categories – Pop, R&B and Gospel for two CDs: “The Gospel According to Jazz: Chapter III (GATJ3)” and “Everything Is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway both released in 2010- March and August respectively.  Previously an eight-time- now 12-time GRAMMY nominee Kirk will be one to watch during the Music’s Biggest Night.  The 53rd GRAMMY Awards will broadcast on CBS on Sunday, February 13, 2011, from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT) from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Whalum garnered four GRAMMY® nominations for Best Pop Instrumental Album -“Everything Is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway;” Best Male R&B Performance for “We’re Still Friends” featuring Musiq Soulchild; Best Gospel Performance for “He’s Been Just That Good” featuring Donny Hathaway’s daughter, Lalah Hathaway; and Best Gospel Song for “It’s What I Do” (Jerry Peters and Kirk Whalum, songwriters) also featuring Lalah Hathaway from “The Gospel According to Jazz-Chapter III (GATJ3).”

2010 has been a whirlwind of successes for Kirk Whalum. Earlier in the year “The Gospel According to Jazz-Chapter III (GATJ3)” debuted at #4 on the Billboard Jazz Album chart and #11 on the Billboard Gospel Chart while just a few months later the tribute CD “Everything Is Everything” debuted at #4 on the Billboard Jazz Chart. It’s no surprise that Whalum is breaking new ground.  

“When your peers listen to your art and heart, and decide that you should be commended, I call that fuel!  My tank is overflowing at the serendipity of four GRAMMY® nominations, especially because of all the awesome recordings that were submitted. We’re extremely excited!” says Whalum.

January however will be bittersweet for Whalum and Hathaway connoisseurs, as it will mark the 32nd anniversary of the tragic death of Donny Hathaway. Although brief, Hathaway’s career left a legacy that influenced artists in all genres; from gospel to rock-n-roll, that many artists have covered Hathaway but none like Whalum.  “Everything Is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway” is the consummate interpretation of Hathaway’s musical legacy.

Just in time for the holiday season  a special digital-only compilation  of unreleased tracks  “More of Everything is Everything,” featuring  the Christmas classic, “This Christmas” will be available December 14, 2010.

For more information on Kirk Whalum, please visit www.kirkwhalum.com; on Twitter @KirkWhalum; and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/kirkwhalum.

Via: The Belle Report

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