By Christopher Blank
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkno/local-wkno-923195.mp3
Memphis, TN – In the 1960s and '70s, Stax Records was the home of legendary soul musicians such as Isaac Hayes and Otis Redding. Today, in the same South Memphis neighborhood, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the Stax Music Academy, an after-school program for inner-city youth, still nurture the area's raw talent. But you might be surprised at who's running the show now. Christopher Blank recently joined the new CEO of Stax on his first day of classes.
With eight career Grammy nominations under his belt, and two records released this year alone, jazz saxophone player Kirk Whalum doesn't exactly need to be in a rehearsal room. But today, he's starting a new gig. Dressed in a brown blazer and a Stax baseball cap, he looks suited both for the executive suite and this small room where he's giving instruction to a high school senior.
In some ways, Whalum was a perfect choice to take the helm of Stax. He grew up in Memphis. His grandfather lived in the neighborhood. And Whalum has reached a turning point in his own career.
"I wanna make sure I'm doing something where I can use my gifts in a qualitative way that factors into the lives of kids and the life of the community," Whalum explains. "Other than, oh jeez, Kirk Whalum has a new CD out.'"
His music is quite different than the funky southern soul that dominated the famous label. And that also makes Whalum an interesting choice for the job.
"It's funny because I was worried at first what the Stax legacy artists would think when I was going to be the CEO," Whalum said. "It kept me up a couple of nights. The more guys I started to meet.... Eddie Floyd and Mabel John.... Mavis Staples said I think this is great.' I think a part of that is they identified my passion for a substantative music education. This is the Stax Music Academy. It's not the Stax music rehearsal hall."
Chief operating officer Mark Wender says that even with his jazz credentials, Whalum is the perfect frontman for the job. "He's done it all, he's at the top of his field. And he's a great role model for these kids to emulate."
At the Stax Academy, students cut their musical chops by studying the classic soul tunes that the tourists next door in the museum go crazy over. Whalum wants to pump up the energy in the museum, and expand the Stax brand online.
Planning the future of Stax is one aspect of the job.
"One of the other things is asking for money, which as a nonprofit we need to do. I'm uniquely suited to do it. I say, Hey, I'm Kirk Whalum, can you help these kids out?' And they say, Aren't you Kirk Whalum the recording artist?' And I say, "Ya, we need your money!"
At 52, and the father of four grown children, Whalum's return to Memphis, and to the historic record label that partially inspired his career, is also a return to his roots. Deep down, the jazz man has always considered himself a soul man.