Soulful, passionate, stirring...these are the words most often used to describe Kirk’s music. Forged from his
Memphis, (TN) gospel roots and his 1980‘s initiation into the thriving Houston, TX nightclub scene, Kirk’s
big, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his. The 80’s were highlighted by Kirk’s stepping out of his blossoming
sideman role and forming his own band. It was there that Kirk ultimately developed both his “voice” and
songwriting in the crucible of the local club scene––especially at a rooftop club called Cody’s. It was also in
Houston where jazz pianist Bob James “discovered” him and brought him on tour, which led to five successful
albums with Columbia Records, including Cache, Kirk’s first #1 album. As well, Kirk and Bob received a
Grammy nomination for their collaboration album, Joined at the Hip. After moving to Los Angeles, Kirk
became an in demand session player for top artists like, Barbara Streisand, Al Jarreau, Luther Vandross, Larry
Carlton, Quincy Jones and most notably, Whitney Houston, amongst many others. It’s his sax heard on the
mega-hit, “I Will Always Love You.” Kirk soon followed that career high point with his phenomenal hit album
released on Warner Bros. Records, For You, perhaps the most successful of over 25 solo recordings to date;
others include his eclectic Gospel According to Jazz series,(Chapters 1, 2 and 3).
An ordained minister, Kirk is now close to earning his Masters of Art in Religion. It’s in this spirit that he
serves his community, frequently performing at nursing homes, schools and missions. There is also his daily
fifteen minute podcast, Bible In Your Ear (BIYE), in which he invites you to listen along as he reads through
the Bible in a year. In addition to music and ministry, Kirk has a passion to educate young, aspiring musicians
and as such he currently serves as President/CEO of the STAX Music Academy and the STAX Museum of
American Soul Music in his hometown of Memphis, TN.
Kirk is the recipient of numerous awards and acknowledgements for his musical excellence including three
Dove Award nominations, an NAACP Image Award nomination and has won two Stellar Awards-Gospel
music’s highest honor. An eleven time Grammy nominee, Kirk won his first Grammy award for Best Gospel
Song (“It’s What I Do”-featuring Lalah Hathaway) alongside life-long friend and gifted writer, Jerry Peters.
His most current releases (on Mack Ave. Records) are-The Gospel According to Jazz, Chapter 3 (double CD &
DVD) and Everything is Everything-the Music of Donny Hathaway.
In a career spanning decades, Kirk has a sound that is uniquely his; it is a sound that leaves an indelible imprint
on the listener.