Kirk Whalum News

The Adrienne The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (@arshtcenter) proudly launches the 11th season of its internationally acclaimed JAZZ ROOTS series with LEONARD BERNSTEIN 100 AND BEYOND, a centennial celebration of one of America's greatest and best-loved music superstars, on Friday, November 9, 2018. The one-night-only tribute to the world-renowned composer, conductor and pianist features performances by vocalists Ann Hampton Callaway and Jon Secada, saxophonist Kirk Whalum, pianist Shelly Berg and the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra.

Acclaimed jazz singer Nicole Henry brings new life to classic holiday repertoire with her soul-inspired Christmas show on Friday, November 30 at 8 p.m. at Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre in Malibu. 

Veteran keyboardist David Garfield entered the year with a single in the Billboard Top 10 (“Go Home”) before announcing the details of his ambitious recording project, “Outside the Box.” The multidisc, multi-genre series of albums trickling out over a multi-year span features high-wattage assemblages of Grammy winners, legends, hit-makers and prominent musicians including members of the Zac Brown Band, Steely Dan, Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, The Doors, Chicago, Toto, Tower of Power and The Meters.

The following acts are performing at City Winery Chicago (1200 W. Randolph St) throughout the month.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (@ArshtCenter) announces that the following shows will be available for purchase for the first time: Zoetic Stage's world premiere of DRACULA; New World Symphony's EMANUEL AX PLAYS BEETHOVEN: Wagner's Overture to The Flying Dutchman, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 and Sibelius' Symphony No. 5; and JAZZ ROOTS: LEONARD BERNSTEIN 100 AND BEYOND with Jon Secada, Ann Hampton Callaway, Kirk Whalum, The Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra and more.

Today, the Orpheum Theatre Group announced the lineup for the 2018-2019 On Stage at the Halloran Centre series. In addition to the 13-part music Series and 3-part theatre Series, the On Stage season will introduce Kafe Kirk: a special concert series created by Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and Memphis native, Kirk Whalum. Tickets for all events are on sale now.

When asked how he got Grammy-winning legends George Benson and David Sanborn to perform on his new single, “Stay,” keyboardist David Garfield responds dryly with a gleeful grin, “You ask them.” The third single from Garfield's forthcoming “Jammin' Outside the Box” album is a remake of the Rufus classic featuring the vintage R&B-funk band's former drummerMoon Calhoun singing lead on the song he wrote with Chaka Khan. “Stay” goes for radio adds on June 11 and drops digitally fromCreatchy Records on June 15.    

One of the most diverse classical musical organizations in the nation, Chicago Sinfonietta, is closing their 30th anniversary season with Praise + Punkin a smashing 'battle of the bands' against Mucca Pazza, an absurdist marching band, with special guest Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir. The historic onstage rematch between Chicago Sinfonietta, the previous winner in 2015, and Mucca Pazza will be Saturday, May 12 at 8 p.m. at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, and Monday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

One of the most diverse classical musical organizations in the nation, Chicago Sinfonietta, is closing their 30th anniversary season with Praise + Punkin a smashing 'battle of the bands' against Mucca Pazza, an absurdist marching band, with special guest Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir. The historic onstage rematch between Chicago Sinfonietta, the previous winner in 2015, and Mucca Pazza will be Saturday, May 12 at 8 p.m. at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, and Monday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) concludes its intimate "Jazz Club" performances this season with jazz composer and trumpeter Terence Blanchard featuring The E-Collective on May 1 and 2 at 8:00pm.

When your debut album scores three Billboard No. 1 singles, including the longest running No. 1 single of the year, and helps you win two Debut Artist of the Year titles, your priority becomes avoiding a sophomore slump. That was guitarist Adam Hawley's mindset as he entered the recording studio to construct “Double Vision,” his Kalimba Records disc that drops on Friday.

ASCAP and Motown Gospel present the 9TH annual Morning Glory Breakfast Reception, honoring the 2018 Stellar Award Nominees, hosted by Lashawn “Big Shiz” Daniels.

Four decades into an accomplished career that has seen him record and tour with many of the brightest stars in the contemporary jazz, R&B and pop galaxies as well as front his own bands and solo albums, keyboardist-songwriter-producer-arranger David Garfield still feels like an outsider.

Valentine's Day had a deeper meaning this year for Eric Valentine, who released his long-in-the-works labor of love, “Velvet Groove,” on Wednesday. The Matcha Entertainment collection of soul-soaked urban grooves and sophisticated contemporary jazz sounds is the first release from the drummer-multi-instrumentalist-songwriter-producer's Velvet Groove, a creative community of musicians and recording artists spreading love and positivity through music and collaboration. Valentine produced the set constructed by more than forty musicians, including an enclave of distinguished chart-toppers such as trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Richard Elliot, who are the featured soloists on the title track, which is presently No. 3 on the Billboard chart.

When he isn't anchoring the beats as a first-call drummer for a virtual who's who list of contemporary jazz stars, Eric Mr. Chocolate Valentine has been locked away in his Chocolate Cave studios near Los Angeles conceiving and crafting Velvet Groove, the first of what he envisions to be a movement of urban and jazz music you can feel.

The dynamic 26th annual season continues at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts with nonstop concerts, shows and holiday presentations for every audience and all entertainment preferences throughout December and January:

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performance Arts continues its exciting season with a star-laden line-up throughout the holidays.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will celebrate the joyous holiday season throughout December with nine different concerts, shows and special presentations for the whole family.

The dynamic 26th annual season continues at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts with nonstop concerts, shows and holiday presentations for every audience and all entertainment preferences throughout November and December: