Kenneth Whalum III releases new single, ‘One More Kiss’
Kenneth Whalum III, the Memphisbred sax sideman turned solo artist, recently released a new track, called “One More Kiss.” Although it was released in time for Valentine's Day, it's less joyously romantic than soulfully melancholy.
“For me, all the songs come from a really introspective place. They're basically conversations about the predicament of relationships,” Whalum said.
"I think I sometimes push myself into those places so I can get inspiration too. I like to get as close as possible to those real feelings to have something to write about. I guess I love a storm.”
Over the years, Whalum has worked as a sideman and session player for a bevy of big-name acts — from Maxwell to Beyoncé to Kanye West, among others. Whalum grew up in a hothouse atmosphere of music, the nephew of noted Memphis sax player Kirk Whalum and older brother of Bruno Mars trombonist Kameron Whalum.
After moving from Memphis to New York to study at the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, he began playing professionally and got his big break working with Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. Whalum soon found himself in demand among top talents, establishing long-term working relationships with R&B stars such as Maxwell and D'angelo, and doing multiple studio sessions for rapper Jay-z.
Since leaving Maxwell's touring operation in 2018, Whalum has fully committed himself to his solo career. His catalog includes his debut EP, “Broken Land,” and its follow-up, “Beautiful Ending,” as well as a series of singles.
Later this spring, Whalum is set to release a full-length LP, “Flight to Forever.” Whalum has been working independently, putting out projects through his own Broken Land Records. But earlier this week he confirmed he was partnering up with indie label/distributor Secretly Canadian.
“Yeah, it's a joint venture basically with Secretly Canadian and my label Broken Land Records,” says Whalum. “And I signed a publishing deal with them too. All of it has been really good.”
“I'm coming from being a working musician, and as I've transitioned to doing my own art and my own music I've pretty much been doing everything myself. Now I've gotten it to a point where it makes sense to connect with a company like Secretly Canadian, who are indie too. That being said, it's unbelievable how on point they are in terms of knowing where to place the music and finding who will appreciate it and just how well they move it around.”
Due in April, Whalum's forthcoming “Flight to Forever” is a thematically linked set of songs, inspired by his constant travel in recent years, as he's been shuttling between New York and Los Angeles for work, and Charlotte and Memphis for his kids and family.
“Flight to forever is a real thing. In the last two or three years I've not really had a minute to sit down or stay still. I'm constantly moving. But you have to be wherever you're needed,” he says. “I feel like it's a never-ending thing where I'm perpetually in motion. That's the mood of the album and the songs.”
The record features Whalum's regular collaborators, including preeminent jazz/hip-hop musician Derrick Hodge and bassist Pino Palladino (The Who, John Mayer) and the first single from the album, "Party," is set for release next month.
“I'm really excited about it,” says Whalum of the album and his growing solo career. “I know this is what I'm supposed to be doing.”