Episode #33

When I think of modern day saxophone masters, I immediately think of Kirk Whalum. But beyond his musical genius, what is just as impressive is his warm and tremendously sensitive spirit. He is just a beautiful human being. Notes from his horn, heart and head instantly touch me…as do words from his mouth. Being able to work with him on this particular Studio Jams taping was very special.

I first met Kirk the year before, aboard the Wayman Tisdale Smooth Jazz Cruise. My wife and I were seated at a table for dinner right beside one with Kirk, his brother Kevin, and their wives. Throughout dinner, we couldn’t help but overhear some of their conversation, as Kevin and Kirk were talking about Studio Jams, having seen excerpts of it in their cabins as it aired throughout the day on the ship’s television channel. After dinner, I introduced myself to them and thanked them for the kind words they shared about the series. We laughed and wondered if I still would’ve approached them if what they had said had not been so favorable. I told Kirk that I would love to one day feature him on an episode; perhaps even the next time he passed through Philly. He told me that he would be delighted to participate…and not just because it would be fun to play, but because he thought it was a wonderful way to reach and perhaps teach others about how music can be spontaneously created. Well, as fate would have it, Kirk was scheduled to be in Philly a few months later. I spoke with Kirk shortly after I learned that and officially got the ball rolling for this session.

After securing a commitment from him, I began to assemble the “band.” So with Kirk Whalum on sax, I next thought about the rhythm section and quickly lined up Marcus Baylor on drums, Michael Manson on bass and Jeff Golub on guitar, another musician I have wanted to work with for quite awhile. Jeff had spent a number of years with, among others, Rod Stewart and Billy Squire.

I had worked with Marcus a few years before, when he was with The Yellowjackets, so I knew how wonderful it would be to work with him again. As for Michael, I had only briefly met him a few months before that date, but had not yet had an opportunity to work with him before this session.

I also wanted to add both a keyboard player and a percussionist to the gig. For keyboards, I called upon Demetrios Pappas, a very versatile player who lives about an hour from Philadelphia, just outside Atlantic City, New Jersey. Demetrios is a world-class pianist and, among many other gigs, has been music director for Smokey Robinson on many of his East Coast tours. Hector Rosado then joined us on percussion. It was quite a formidable line-up, if I do say so myself. I couldn’t wait for us to hit that day.

After everyone arrived, and all the technical kinks had been worked out in the studio, we were finally ready to begin. Kirk suggested we start things off with a little prayer that instantly created a wonderfully comfortable vibe. It seemed fitting that he would then suggest the classic spiritual Wade In The Water as the first song. It was interesting to see him work, and so elegantly direct the creation of the arrangement with everyone. We cut the track in 2 takes – with a number of terrific solos. Next, Jeff suggested the tune Comin’ Home Baby, something he has performed for years. After 15 or 20 minutes rehearsal, we recorded 2 takes of that song as well.

After these two tunes we took a short break. When everyone returned to the studio, Kirk suggested they play Blues Connotation, a nice tune by Ornette Coleman. Kirk again lead them through the changes and came up with a nice and interesting arrangement. As I recall, it did take a little time for this one to come together as a group, but when it finally did, they hit it hard. We again recorded it in 2 takes. Then Kirk took control.

In the true spirit of a jam, and wanting to create something totally fresh, he simply began playing whatever was in his head – an Open Jam on solo sax – an just encouraged everyone to join in however they wanted, whenever they wanted. The result was amazing, and as spontaneous as it gets. (Unfortunately this tune didn’t make it into the final edited program due to time constraints, but I hope to be able to share it with everyone on a special “outtakes” type program one day, if I ever get around to it.)

To wrap things up, they ended with a 1 take track of Miles Davis’ All Blues. Wow…what a day.

One of the things I quickly learned from putting together taping sessions for Studio Jams is to always try and reach out to musicians who not only are wonderful musicians in their own right, but ones who can also help bring out the very best in others. Kirk is definitely one of those players. I can’t wait to work with him again.

– Tom Emmi / Producer