Snow fell over Poplar Avenue as hoodie-clad musicians packed up their instruments after a rehearsal session in Amro Music's upstairs recital hall last Thursday.
Despite their age, the young band is comprised of seasoned veterans in the music industry who could write a book about the experiences they have had on stage. However, this rehearsal was different.
Bruno Mars' trombone player and 24-year-old Memphian Kameron Whalum stepped to the forefront of the stage and grabbed the microphone. He counted off the first song and led the band in preparation for his debut solo show at Beale Street's Hard Rock Cafe.
Behind Whalum stood pianist John Fossit and bassist Jamareo Artis, fellow members of Bruno Mars' band The Hooligans, who flew into Memphis with Whalum from New York City after recently preforming at the Super Bowl XLVIII halftime show. Memphis resident and drummer Anthony Knox sat next to electric guitarist Noah Hernandez, who flew in from Los Angeles for the special gig.
Whalum handpicked the members of his band, and, at the beginning of the year, he individually called them. In the midst of already hectic schedules, his debut concert was much anticipated.
Earlier Thursday morning, Whalum and Hernandez performed on News Channel 5's "Live at 9." Whalum sang a soulful R&B rendition of Radiohead's "High & Dry," giving viewers a sneak peak into the debut show.
"A lot of people know me for playing trombone," Whalum said. "People may know I sing or they might not, so this is going to be me putting out what I do."
The Overton High graduate began singing as a toddler, playing the bass guitar when he was nine years old and practicing the trombone at age 10, which he "stuck seriously with" from that moment onward.
As a child, Whalum was exposed to the impassioned sounds of The New Olivet Baptist Church where his father and grandfather preached as a reverend. His uncle Kirk Whalum became a Grammy Award-winning jazz saxophonist and songwriter. Kenneth Whalum III, his older brother, grew to be a New York songwriter who worked with Jay Z, Sean "P Diddy" Combs, 50 Cent, Snoop Dog, Beyoncé and Al Green - just to name a few. Growing up, he was constantly exposed to musicians that influenced him to follow his passion.
With music streaming through his blood, and plenty through his ears, Whalum draws influences from genres across the board. Throughout his life, jazz, blues, pop, rock, gospel and even country have inspired his song writing.
After graduating from Overton High in 2007, Whalum attended Morehouse University in Atlanta before coming to the University of Memphis. He then moved to New York City and attended the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in 2011 - where everything changed.
"I got a phone call saying Bruno wanted a horn section," Whalum said. "A week later they flew me to Los Angeles where we preformed for the American Idol finale."
Over the past three years, Whalum has traveled the world, playing sold out arenas. A huge Tiger fan, Whalum sported a personalized Memphis Tigers basketball jersey given to him by the University of Memphis basketball team while performing for 111.5 million viewers at the Super Bowl. Before that, he had played twice at The Grammy Awards.
If the success he garnered over the last three years has gone to his head, it doesn't show. Soft spoken and laidback, he recounts that playing with Bruno has been "pretty cool."
According to Whalum, working with Mars is anything but intimidating.
"We hit it off real quick," Whalum said of Bruno's relationship with the band on tour. "We are a family. We are brothers."
As the halftime show would display, touring and performing with Bruno Mars requires more from a band member than just playing an instrument. While on stage, not only does Whalum play trombone, but he also dances and sings backup vocals.
His solo debut at the Hard Rock Cafe is just a snapshot of what Whalum envisions for his future, noting that he is quite ambitious.
"Eventually, maybe down the line, when I am done with Bruno, I would like to have my own album, my own sold out tours, albums and Grammys," Whalum said.
Friday night's show sold out, leaving standing room only and closed doors for fans who arrived late. Whalum rocked the stage with cover songs of Drake, Prince, Al Green and Radiohead along with three original songs.
According to the Memphis musician, touring with Bruno Mars is just a step in the direction of where he wants to put his feet.
"I wouldn't rather be doing anything else," he said. "It's what I wanted to do growing up. It's all coming true. All my dreams are coming true."
