JAZZ

Enjoy the sights and sounds aboard the stunning Spirit of New York from our three indoor climate controlled decks! Cruise the Hudson River and take in amazing views of New York Harbor. Enjoy great music in an intimate setting plus the glorious NYC skyline!

One showtime at 3PM. Boarding begins at 2:30PM.

TICKETING INFO
GA Reserved Seats: We’re reserved the best seats in the house for you! Ticketholders go to the front of the boarding line and sit on the same level as the band.
General Admission Seats: Your ticket includes a seat on any of the three decks, on a first come first serve basis. These tickets are for those who want to move around the boat and enjoy our decks, bars, and dance floor! This ticket type does not guarantee seating on the same level as the band.

SEAT LOCATIONS
All tickets include seating. Your ticket type determines where your seat is located. You are only required to sit in your seat as the boat departs, as soon as the boat begins moving all ticket holders are free to move around the boat. The boat offers multiple outdoor decks, and three interior decks:
Main Floor: This is where the band plays. GA Reserved seating is on this level, as well as limited General Admission seating & standing room
Upper Floor: General Admission seating and standing room. This floor overlooks the main floor where the band plays.
Lower Floor: General Admission seating, one level below the band.

DINING & BAR INFO
Shared dining tables are available throughout the boat, tables seat 4 – 10 people and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Premium tables on the main floor are reserved for GA Reserved ticket holders.

Food and beverage are not included with any ticket type. There are bars on each level and buffets on the upper and lower levels. Buffet tickets can be purchased on board ($20+tax+service), cash and credit card are accepted.

BOARDING TIME & DEPARTURE INFO
The Spirit of New York sails from Pier 61, located at Chelsea Piers. Visit chelseapiers.com for directions, public transportation details, and parking info.

We cruise rain or shine. All seating is located indoors, on climate controlled decks.

ABOUT KIRK WHALUM

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, and much lauded, Gospel According to Jazz series, (Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4). In addition to his many solo projects, Kirk was also a member of the popular soul/jazz group, BWB, which features Kirk as the “W” of the group with Rick Braun (trumpet) and Norman Brown (guitar).

An ordained minister, Kirk has earned a Masters of Art in Religion. It’s in this spirit that he serves his community in various ways when his touring schedule allows. 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 is currently engaged as a music professor at Visible Music College in his hometown of Memphis.

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. A twelve time Grammy nominee, Kirk won his first Grammy award (2011)for Best Gospel Song (“It’s What I Do”––featuring Lalah Hathaway) alongside life-long friend and gifted songwriter, Jerry Peters.

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.