Kirk Whalum Previews “Everything”
Kirk Whalum is adding to his ever-expanding discography with the upcoming, Everything Is Everything, scheduled for release on August 31 [Rendezvous Music/Mack Avenue Records]. The album is a tribute to the music of Donny Hathaway, and Whalum is giving a few hints as to what fans can expect. For one, “It’s the first time you’ll hear me with a chamber orchestra.”
The idea for the tribute seemed a natural follow-up to Whalum’s last project, The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter III, which prominently featured Hathaway’s daughter, Lalah. He told a reporter, “I think there are certainly some common denominators with me and [Donny]. My brand of music reflects the fact that I’m a messenger. I’m a Christian and I’m influenced by the Bible. My message is love. That’s been a theme of my albums and it certainly is with this album. I think there is more of a need for love in society than ever before. We’re going through some difficult, turbulent times. But we’ll get through them with some love.”
Naturally, Lalah Hathaway appears on the project, which also features guest shots from Rick Braun (flugelhorn), Jeff Golub (guitar) and R&B group Musiq Soulchild.