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Join Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum for Kafé Kirk, an ongoing jazz series in Crosstown Theater featuring musical and spiritual collaborations with special guest artists. This concert will feature songwriter and producer **Kenneth Whalum III** with special guest saxophonist and composer **Donald Hayes**.**Kenneth Whalum III**
Kenneth Whalum is a Memphis-born singer, songwriter, saxophonist, and producer whose work bridges soul, jazz, and alternative music with emotional depth. He first made his name on the road with Al Green and Isaac Hayes before touring and recording with icons like Jay-Z, Maxwell, and the late D’Angelo, as a member of his band, The Vanguard. He’s contributed to albums including Maxwell’s Grammy-winning BLACKsummers’night (arranging horns and playing saxophone, including on the hit single “Pretty Wings,” which topped the Billboard R&B; chart and won the Grammy for Best R&B; Song), Beyoncé’s B’Day and Renaissance, Jay-Z’s American Gangster and 4:44, and Mac Miller’s Swimming.
**Donald Hayes**
A native of Memphis, TN, Donald is a musician, arranger, orchestrator, artist, and feature film/television composer. His music has taken him all over the world, but he has never strayed from his gospel and blues music roots. His approach to music is simple: to make soulful music that inspires people to dance, love, connect, and just feel good about life.
Donald has just released his second album of original music entitled Soul-Searching. This record pays homage to his Memphis upbringing, and leans heavily on his southern roots of blues, soul & gospel music. Donald believes that your music expression should be an extension of your life. The compositions of this record are very introspective of his life experiences. This record also features a host of amazing guests artist and musicians. Such as, Robin Thicke, Brian Culbertson, Kirk Fletcher, Bobby Sparks, Cedric Mitchell, Derrick Jackson, Nathan East, Andrèa, Lisa, Adam Hawley, and many more. The first two radio singles have already charted really well. Donald second single “Longing For You” featuring Nathan East, charted number one on Billboard, and was voted the number one song of 2025 on the Media Base radio chart. Donald has been touring the world with the Grammy award winning Marcus Miller for the last five years, and touring and recording with Robin Thicke for the last 12 years. Donald feels sharing his life through music is one of his biggest purposes in his life. “I truly believe music heals the heart and soul”.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Kemmons Wilson Family Stage, 1350 Concourse Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38104, United States
Tickets
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