Kirk Whalum Net Worth
Kirk Whalum has achieved great success as a Saxophonist, earning multiple nominations and albums released.
Kirk hails from Memphis and was raised in a musical family, serving as both session and touring musician for many singers, such as Whitney Houston.
Early Life and Education
Kirk Whalum hails from Memphis, Tennessee where his musical family was prominent and his father a pastor; it comes as no surprise that Kirk has such a deep-seated passion for Gospel music.
Whalum studied saxophone at Texas Southern University. When he opened for jazz pianist Bob James at a concert in Houston, James was so taken with what he heard that two weeks later he found him soloing on Bob’s album 12, and asked Kirk Whalum to solo on it!
Whalum was in high demand during the 1990s as a session player, working with such artists as Whitney Houston, Babyface, Take 6, Bebe & Cece Winans, Luther Vandross, Barbra Streisand and Quincy Jones to name but a few. Additionally he provided the saxophone solo on The Bodyguard movie soundtrack while his recordings ranged from smooth jazz to pop/R&B genres.
Professional Career
Kirk Whalum has earned fame through his musical experience and talent, performing with well-known artists such as Luther Vandross, Barbra Streisand, George Benson as well as recording multiple albums with Silk Sonic – his own group!
William is an esteemed saxophonist, nominated for multiple Grammy awards and best known for his solo on Whitney Houston’s track “I Will Always Love You”, the best-selling single by any female musician ever released to digital stores.
He attended Texas Southern University and participated in the Ocean of Soul Marching Band. Since his youth, he has been active in music. Over his lifetime he has released many popular songs that have made him millions in earnings.
Achievement and Honors
Kirk Whalum has amassed numerous Grammy nominations and awards over his four-decade career, becoming an accomplished musician known for playing diverse genres like gospel and Memphis-soul. His latest leader album Humanite (Artistry/Mack Avenue) stands out as his most ambitious project to date, featuring an international cast of supporting musicians with an emphasis on global peace.
Melrose High School alum and Texas Southern University scholar, he collaborated with top artists such as Barbara Streisand, Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross and Quincy Jones during the 80s and 90s – playing on their recordings along with Whitney Houston’s hit single I Will Always Love You.
Not content to just perform, he has also become involved in several humanitarian efforts and serves as an ordained minister. Furthermore, he remains a proud supporter of Rhodes College.
Personal Life
Kirk Whalum was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 11th 1958. As a singer and saxophonist he has become increasingly acclaimed, working alongside artists such as Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Luther Vandross as well as other influential musicians such as Elvis Costello.
Whalum has also composed the soundtracks to Boyz in the Hood and Grand Canyon films, as well as recorded several acclaimed albums of his own such as Floppy Disk (1985), In This Life (1993) and Human Nature (1997).
Whalum and Ruby are proud parents to three children: Kyle, Kori and Evan. Whalum strongly supports family values, and is actively engaged in his community; he established Hearts Against Racism and Prejudice as a non-profit to foster tolerance and understanding across cultural barriers.
Net Worth
Whalum amasses an estimated net worth of around $18 Million through his work as a jazz saxophonist. He is married to Rubystyne ‘Ruby’ Whalum, with whom they share three children: Kyle, Kori and Evan.
Whalum performed as the opening act for national headliners that visited Houston and quickly attracted the notice of jazz pianist Bob James who invited him to join his touring band. Bob James later produced Whalum’s debut album Floppy Disk through Columbia Records in 1985.
2000 saw his return to contemporary jazz style with Unconditional, his third release for the label. In 2008 he issued Promises Made as part of a compilation to benefit The Millennium Project’s efforts in hunger reduction, disease prevention and economic development in Africa. Humanite was produced with James McMillan recording orchestral sessions across several studios from Jakarta to Tokyo as well as Paris Nairobi and Johannesburg.
