Saxophonist Kirk Whalum is currently enjoying a Number One smooth jazz hit with his version of Luther Vandross' "Give Me The Reason," from the album Forever, For Always, For Luther II. Whalum has been acclaimed as a player who can artfully interpret a cover tune, as he did on his recent album, Performs The Babyface Songbook.

 Keeping the lyrics front and center is something that Whalum learned from his uncle, vocalist Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum, whose 2006 debut album Whalum produced. Thinking of the meaning of the lyrics, even when performing instrumental versions, is a skill Whalum highly recommends.

As the new season of American Idol gets underway, Whalum extended his advice to pop singing hopefuls with his uncle nearby: "But that comes from a commitment to the lyric, which again if anyone is listening who's in that line trying to try out for American Idol, you know, you gotta be committed to the lyric. I think that's something that my uncle really, really taught me."

Whalum will perform next on February 3rd at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California. The event will be a benefit for Stroke Of Hope. For more, go to www.kirkwhalum.com.