08/19/2026
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!!
Kirk Whalum: A Perfect Summer Evening of Jazz, Soul and Love
It’s 6:12 p.m., and the temperature is hovering around 82 degrees. The JEL Summer Jazz Series is already beginning to feel like one of those perfect summer evenings people remember.
The cottonwood trees to the right of the stage are full, the area directly in front of the stage is filling quickly, and the line at Smokin’ Soul Food seems to stretch forever. Families, couples, friends, and music lovers wander through Ford Lake Park, adding to the relaxed energy of the evening.
Along the woodland path, a father and son walk together, deep in conversation. They appear to be talking about jazz, maybe boxing—I don’t know—but Dad seems awfully animated.
Everywhere I look, people are settling in for an evening of music.
Then Bryan Foley grabs the mic.
“Ladies and gentlemen… it’s SHOW TIME!”
The crowd immediately knows something special is about to begin.
Foley introduces Kirk Whalum, born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, with a heartfelt nod to Whitney Houston. It’s a beautiful introduction to an artist whose music carries a unique mixture of soul, jazz, gospel, R&B, and emotion.
Whalum steps onto the stage wearing an “Epic Cool” hat, a black shirt, and what may be the coolest pants ever seen at a jazz festival—or in life, for that matter.
The crowd is ready.
Whalum reminds everyone that Grover Washington Jr. is one of his musical heroes. He makes a point of noting that Washington performed not simply in Detroit, but right here in Ypsilanti.
Then comes “Big Ol’ Shoes,” a piece Whalum writes for his musical hero.
The saxophone immediately fills the air, followed by the unmistakable energy of “Mr. Magic.”
The crowd responds.
Enthusiastically.
Whalum then encourages everyone to move with “Do You Feel Me,” before seamlessly bleeding into “Just My Imagination.”
At this point, it becomes clear this isn’t going to be a concert where the audience simply sits and listens.
Whalum wants everyone involved.
His connection with the crowd is every bit as entertaining as his music.
He asks how many grandparents are in the audience. After hearing the response, he jokingly exclaims, “What the hell?”
Then he announces that there are plenty of “sexy grandmas” in Ypsilanti.
Soon, he’s encouraging the audience to get their fathers and grandfathers dancing. He tells the crowd that his own grandkids can get him to dance simply by saying:
“Dance! Pa Pa, dance, Pa Pa!”
The set continues with “Bah-de-yah!,” a song that immediately feels like something you can simply relax into and enjoy.
Then comes “This Is the Day,” an airy, flute-infused performance that seems perfectly matched to the evening.
The temperature has settled around 80 degrees. A gentle four-mile-per-hour breeze is coming from the east, and the air seems to drift in from the lake.
It’s one of those moments when the setting becomes part of the music.
“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands,” Whalum encourages.
The crowd happily responds.
Next comes Maxwell’s “Ascension.”
Rather than Maxwell’s vocals, Whalum’s saxophone becomes the voice of the song. He transforms the familiar melody with his unmistakable sound while turning the audience into part of the performance.
He has the crowd, his band, and even himself singing along to the repeated refrain.
In the back, a woman in an orange dress dances along.
The color of her dress seems to match the setting sun, which is finally beginning to disappear after a long summer day.
It’s a small moment, but somehow it captures the entire evening.
Then comes “MF,” a song loaded with funk.
As I walk past the food trucks earlier, I wonder why anyone would name a song “MF.”
After hearing the bassist completely lose himself in that bass line, the answer becomes obvious.
“Oh… I got it.”
Whalum continues playing with the audience, asking those in love to raise their hands and giving the men in the crowd a chance to earn some “free brownie points.”
But perhaps the most memorable moment comes during “Forest Flower.”
Whalum tells the story of writing the song for his wife, joking about watching her load the dishwasher and thinking she looks cute.
Then, instead of remaining on stage, he walks directly into the massive crowd while continuing to play his saxophone.
There is something remarkable about watching a 12-time Grammy Award-winning artist casually walk through the audience, playing one of the most beautiful instruments in music.
No distance.
No barrier.
Just Kirk Whalum, his saxophone, and thousands of people sharing the moment.
But to me, the unforgettable moment of the show comes when Mr. Whalum’s band plays softly while he speaks about love and marriage.
He talks about how marriage takes work.
How it isn’t easy.
But at the end of the day, it is SO worth it.
He speaks about his wife and makes it clear that, despite all the work and all the challenges, she is the best thing that has ever happened in his life.
Then…
Then…
He gently begins playing “I Will Always Love You” by the incomparable, the magnificent Whitney Houston.
And for those who may not know, Kirk Whalum is the saxophone voice behind one of the most iconic songs in R&B history.
Nay.
Musical history.
And he plays it—
Absolutely flawless.
After everything that comes before—the dancing, laughter, funk, memories, sunshine, breeze, and incredible saxophone—it feels like the perfect ending.
Not just to the concert.
But to the evening itself.
Beautiful.
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL.
-S. Matias
Photography by Karen Fox
Master of Ceremonies: Bryan Foley
Staff Writer: Saul Gonzalez
Valerie Robinson, Bryan Robert Foley
