Kirk Whalum set to perform in Botswana
Dumisani Ncube | Tuesday February 21, 2017 14:31
Kirk Whulam’s Botswana invitation comes after being chosen by the avid GIMC and jazz followers to be the main act of the jazz event. The event will be held on August 26 at a venue yet to be announced.
The artist is well known for making a number of collaborations with the late Luther Vandross and Whitney Huston.
“We listen to our supporters and fans. Most of the people wanted to see George Benson followed by Kirk Whalum then Dave Koz. Unfortunately George wasn’t available on the dates and we went for the second preferred,” said Thapelo Pabalinga.
This will be the first time the smooth jazz saxophonist performs in the country. He is famously known for his hit tracks such as All I do, which has been performed by a number of African artists as a cover track.
Kirk Whalum has recorded a series of well received solo albums and film soundtracks, with music ranging from pop to R&B to smooth jazz. Kirk Whalum’s musical accomplishments have brought him a total of 12 Grammy nominations.
In another surprise, Kirk Whalum will be supported by Jonathan Butler who was the headline act for last year’s GIMC jazz event.
“Jonathan Butler does a lot of duets with Kirk so he agreed to join him and make the 2017 event one to remember. Jonathan loved Botswana so much that he offered to be a GIMC ambassador in America and Europe. So he has pledged to help grow the event globally and help us get any jazz artist we want,” Pabalinga said.
By inviting first class jazz artists such as Kirk Whalum for this year’s event, Pabalinga noted that this simply shows that GIMC has now aligned itself to international standards.
“On a daily basis we have scores of artists from all over the world wanting to be attached to GIMC. This is testimony that we can also host world class events that the whole world comes to attend, (sic).”
With Kirk Whalum headlining the event and joined by Butler, a number of local acts such as Amantle Brown and Trinity Mpho will be the supporting acts.