The Gospel According to Jazz: Chapter 2 (CD - 2002)

Personnel: Kirk Whalum (spoken vocals, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, programming); Jonathan Butler (vocals, acoustic guitar); Tata Vega, Kevin Whalum, Kim Burrelll (vocals); Rod McGaha (trumpet);

George Duke (piano, keyboards); Tyrone Dickerson (organ, keyboards, synthesizer, programming); Paul Jackson, Jr. (acoustic & electric guitars);

Michael manson (acoustic & electric basses); Kyle Whalum (electric bass); Sean McCurley (drums); Luis Conte (percussion); Alfie Silas-Durio, Lynn Linsey, Fred White (background vocals).

Producers: Kirk Whalum, Tyrone Dickerson, Hal Sacks.

Recorded live at West Angeles Cathedral, Los Angeles, California; Peace In The Valley, Arleta, California and Dark Horse Studios, Franklin, Tennessee. Includes liner notes by Kirk Whalum.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JAZZ CHAPTER 2 was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

Personnel includes: Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Kim Burrell, George Duke, Paul Jackson, Jr., Tata Vega.

Producers: Kirk Whalum, Tyrone Dickerson, Hal Sacks.

Saxophonist Kirk Whalum offers listeners Chapter 2 of his Gospel According to Jazz series with this ten-track collection of brilliant contemporary gospel-jazz. Recorded live at the West Angeles Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA, The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter 2 rejoins Whalum with the core members from Chapter 1 as well as a host of gospel and jazz dignitaries. The award-winning composer, arranger, and saxophonist wrote eight of the compositions that seek to affect the hearts of listeners -- bypassing the mind -- with the love and power of Jesus, the Great Musician. In this live setting, listeners are afforded the added dimension of the audience's appreciation, which in turn helps to stimulate the aural senses to a higher and more spiritual plane often forgotten in today's hectic world. For example, "Falling in Love With Jesus" offers a tender and moving revelation from Jonathan Butler on lead vocals, which segues into his thanking God and urging listeners to pray. "El Todopoderoso (The All Powerful One)" features the Puerto Rican vocalist Tata Vega and Cuban percussionist Luis Conte alongside Whalum. This up-tempo, Latin-flavored song is a sure testimony that music is not only the universal language of humans but is also used by God as a conduit to reach those in need of his messages. One of the most memorable songs, sung by vocalist Kevin Whalum, is titled "Ta Ta You Jesus." Answering in his saxophone voice, Kirk Whalum's solo matches his brother's vocals note for note. At the end of the song, the audience bursts into an amazing round of applause. Overall, The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter 2 not only reflects the deep appreciation Whalum has for God, but its glorious musicality is the perfect finish to Chapter 1. ~ Paula Edelstein

Flanked by an impressive cadre of musicians and gospel vocalists, saxophonist Kirk Whalum offers an extended jazz paean to Jesus in this follow up to 1998's CHAPTER I of THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JAZZ. Recorded before a live audience in a cathedral in Los Angeles, Whalum's concert has the feel of a contemporary religious service, with applause and shouts from the audience. The numerous vocal spots ("El Todopoderoso" by Tata Vega; "Falling in Love With Jesus" by Jonathan Butler) give the impression of personal testimony.

The music sustains Whalum's reputation as a master of the crossover jazz sound; he streamlines the idiom into a palatable amalgam of traditional jazz, urban R&B, groove-based motifs, world rhythms, soft, lyrical passages, and down-home gospel. Electric guitars, synthesizers, and vocals ensure that pop fans won't feel alienated, while Whalum's gentle tenor lines are unassailable in their technical expertise. A performance that succeeds as both a musical and Christian event, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JAZZ CHAPTER II is solid fare for the hungry of ear and spirit. minimize