Kirk Whalum Interview Page 4

Smitty:  And she did some wonderful work as well [“In A Whisper”].

KW:  Yeah, I was so glad to see that come together.  You know how some ideas, you get people who say “Well, now, are you sure that’s gonna…” and “Will it stretch the audience too far?” and blah-blah-blah.  I’m like, man, you gotta take some risks, and that was a risk I was glad to take because Kim is so well-loved and I don’t think many people—certainly not enough people—know that side of her.

Smitty:  Yeah.

KW:  They know her as an actress but, man, she’s really incredible with spoken word.

Smitty:  Yes, she is, wow.  And she’s just talented in so many ways.  She does so many things.

KW:  Right.

Smitty:  As far as the arts are concerned, you know?

KW:  Yeah, yeah, that’s true.

Smitty:  And you gotta appreciate that, yeah. I really think that this will be one of the top albums of the year, my friend.

KW:  Well, we’re definitely excited about it.

Smitty:  Kirk, also, you were at the North Sea Jazz Festival and I got to hear some of that great sax sound over there.  Talk a little bit about that experience because that was beautiful, wasn’t it?

KW:  Well, I, first of all, enjoyed the cruise.  That was just a wonderful experience and I think maybe the first time of all the cruises that I’ve been fortunate to do—and there have been a lot of them—this one I actually got some rest on (both laugh), on a personal note, so that was nice.  But to be there with Marcus Miller, who is one of my favorite musicians in the world.

Smitty:  Oh, yeah. I second that.

KW:  That was a truly rich experience and the way the concept of that was to really, you know, no holds barred in terms of what is it?  Smooth Jazz?  Is it straight ahead?  It was all of that. And so that was a joy for me, and Ruby and I had a great time, and to end up at the festival, which again is one of the premier jazz festivals of the world.

Smitty:  True.

KW:  And Rotterdam, it was just amazing to be able to—and by the way, I did that festival many times, but years ago I did it when Miles [Davis] was still alive and got a chance to see him at the North Sea Festival.  I played that festival with Bob James for my very first time there back in ’85 or ’86, but then to see Sly Stone live this year, it was incredible.

Smitty:  It was, I tell ya, man, and it was a great time.  And the people there are just beautiful.  Man, I tell ya, I just can’t get over the love that I experienced with my new Dutch friends.

KW:  The respect, yeah.

Smitty:  Yeah, absolutely.  Well, Kirk, once again, be it one album or 17, you have done it again, my friend, and I am loving this new record and I certainly anticipate a lot of attention with this.  I think people are gonna embrace this with open arms and I anticipate a lot of love, my brother.

KW:  Yeah, well, man, I really appreciate you saying that and, again, it’s just from the heart.

Smitty:  Yes.

KW:  So if it reaches a few hearts, then that will be just fine with me.

Smitty:  Absolutely, man. The record is called Roundtrip.  We’ve been talking with the incredible and so personable Kirk Whalum and I’m always loving his vibe and it just gets better with this great record.  Kirk, thanks again, man, and all the best with this record and your tour in 2007 and beyond, my friend.

KW:  Thank you, sir, and I’ll look forward to seeing you soon.

Baldwin “Smitty” Smith

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