If you go
› What: Kevin Whalum› Where: Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 200 E. M.L. King Blvd.› When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13› Admission: Free› For more information: 423-402-0452
Whether singing soul, jazz or gospel, Kevin Whalum does them all well in a strong tenor voice.
Like many singers, Whalum got his start singing in the church – more specifically, the Memphis church his father pastored, Olivet Baptist Church. It was where his love of music was nurtured, as the musicians and singers there were among the best the city had to offer.
“Our dad was always fine with us listening to different genres and styles of music,” Whalum said in an online biography. “At home, my brothers and I had everything from Edgar Winter to Cannonball Adderley, Sly & the Family Stone to Al Jarreau.”
Whalum is in town Thursday, Sept. 13, to perform in the free Levitt Amp concert series presented by Jazzanooga at 6 p.m. at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.