VOA标准英语2010年-Saxophonist Kirk Whalum Pays Tribute T

Donny Hathaway, who gained fame in the 1970s as a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer, left behind some of soul music's most-compelling tunes¹, including his 1973 hit, "Love, Love, Love." The "smooth" jazz rendition from Kirk Whalum's album, Everything Is Everything: The Music Of Donny Hathaway, features guest trumpeter Rick Braun.

Whalum became a Donny Hathaway fan, and a fan of all types of music, in his native Memphis, Tennessee. He says, "The music I like to play and write encompasses² the four elements I grew up with: Memphis R&B, gospel, rock and jazz."

Kirk made his mark on the jazz scene in Houston, Texas. Since 1985, he's balanced a soaring solo career with his work as a leading session player, performing alongside Whitney Houston on The Bodyguard³ soundtrack, and sharing the stage with Quincy Jones, Barbra Streisand, Babyface and many more.

It was Hathaway's signature blend of R&B, pop and funk, his innovative⁴ arranging style, and charismatic stage presence that inspired Whalum to record a tribute. "I think there are certainly some common denominators with me and Donny Hathaway," he says.

Among the special guests on the album is Donny Hathaway's daughter, seasoned R&B singer Lalah Hathaway, who performs on the track "You Had To Know." Lalah was only 10 years-old when her father died of an apparent suicide in 1979.

Whalum is also joined by renowned⁵ jazz bassist Christian⁶ McBride, guitarist Jeff Golub, vocalist Musiq Soulchild, and an 18-piece horn and string orchestra.

1 tunes   

n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• a potpourri of tunes 乐曲集锦
• When things get a bit too much, she simply tunes out temporarily. 碰到事情太棘手时，她干脆暂时撒手不管。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 encompasses   

v.围绕( encompass的第三人称单数 )；包围；包含；包括

参考例句：

• The job encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. 这项工作涉及的职责范围很广。
• Its conservation law encompasses both its magnitude and its direction. 它的守恒定律包括大小和方向两方面。 来自辞典例句

3 bodyguard   

n.护卫，保镖

参考例句：

• She has to have an armed bodyguard wherever she goes.她不管到哪儿都得有带武器的保镖跟从。
• The big guy standing at his side may be his bodyguard.站在他身旁的那个大个子可能是他的保镖。

4 innovative   

adj.革新的，新颖的，富有革新精神的

参考例句：

• Discover an innovative way of marketing.发现一个创新的营销方式。
• He was one of the most creative and innovative engineers of his generation.他是他那代人当中最富创造性与革新精神的工程师之一。

5 renowned   

adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的

参考例句：

• He is one of the world's renowned writers.他是世界上知名的作家之一。
• She is renowned for her advocacy of human rights.她以提倡人权而闻名。

6 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。