(November 25, 2025) - "I am an ordained minister and have been officiating weddings before," said 12-time Grammy Award winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum when we were talking about his new wedding packages "Weddings by Whalum: An Unforgettable Marriage and Music Experience." "I have done a lot on cruises...vow renewals, people marrying again after 40-50 years."Imagine having a legend like Kirk Whalum officiate your wedding - mind-blowing.

Couples can choose from three exclusive wedding officiation packages. "The Promise" is one that includes the officiation, and words of wisdom from Whalum (45 minutes). The "I Will Always Love You" wedding package that includes the officiation, Whalum's words of wisdom, and a performance by Kirk Whalum of the single by Whitney Houston that he helped make a hit "I Will Always Love You" (60 minutes). Last is the "Epic Cool" wedding package that includes the officiation by Whalum; his words of wisdom; Kirk's performance of the single "I Will Always Love You," and a concert (45-minute set) - totaling almost 1 ½ hours.

"Even if you are not Christian and even if you are the same sex," Kirk pointed out about his wedding ceremonies. "I know I'm going to go through opposition by marrying two females and two males. We don't know why...the Bible doesn't mention it."

I didn't want to give Kirk any opposition, but I was disagreeing in my mind because I have read the Bible twice in my lifetime as a nonfiction novel and it is mentioned throughout starting with the beginning in Genesis "...the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man...and he brought her to the man..." However, I know the Bible is interpretive. God reveals what He wants you to see when He wants you to see it. I also believe God gave us free will to make our own choices without opposition, and He directed all of us to love one another because we all fall short of His glory.

So, instead of saying that I told Kirk that as long as he is putting God in the middle of the marriages it's all good for me. Then I asked if he does include God in the wedding ceremonies.

"We make it clear...and we clear it with them. I only know one way (to officiate)," Whalum pointed out when I asked. "Marriage is created by God."

I asked Kirk Whalum if he counsels the couples before the wedding officiation and he said, "I do...I try to find out what truly matters to them...so I do require a sit down for an hour or two. Ruby and I were in Paris ....and I did a FaceTime (wedding)."

"The way we look at it...we are getting two people to sit down and agree to bring God into it and that's a win...AND me praying over them (is bringing God into it)," he pointed out to me.

I told Kirk Whalum, who is infamous for being Whitney Houston's personal saxophonist, that he may start a marriage revolution officiating weddings outside the church walls for all couples.

"A love revolution," he pointed out as we ended my interview.  www.KirkWhalum.com

Mariea Antoinette is a R&B/Jazz harpist. Her visit to Africa had a profound impact on her and it is evident in her new single "Afrika." With her harp, Mariea transforms the sounds of Africa into a Smooth Jazz masterpiece. Emmy winning Allan Phillips (Donna Summer, Kenny Loggins) produced the single, which is already being considered for a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Performance. Her upcoming album that the single is included on, "Fierce," will be her fourth solo project.

Allan Phillips plays keyboard on Mariea Antoinette's "Afrika" single, and he is joined by Grammy nominated drummer Tiki Pasillas (Marc Anthony); bassist Nathan Brown; guitarist Evan Marks (Billy Eckstine); trumpeter Derek Cannon; tenor saxophonist John Rekevics; trombonist Jordan Morita; the AP All Stars Strings ensemble, and on vocals Natalya Phillips (Genesis).

"When you see the sisters with baskets on their heads...their smiles...you think of that (Africa as the motherland). Black women (in general) carry the genes of all races," she informed me as we continued our talk about Africa.

Antoinette, as a child, came from a Classical music background, but gravitated to Jazz and R&B as she got older. Her music releases have garnered her Billboard chart-topping hits. Her single "Overture" reached #1 and stayed there for 13 consecutive weeks. As a harpist Mariea has backed Ne-Yo at the BET Awards and has performed for First Lady Michelle Obama. She has also performed with the Los Angeles Southeast Symphony Orchestra at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Mariea said she has other singles released and to be released from the "Fierce" album which include "Happy Feelings," "Another Star," and the title track "Fierce.".

A San Diego, California native Mariea Antoninette has also been honored with various awards such as the Instrumentalist of the Year Award in 2018 and the Best Jazz Single Award for "Overture" from the Black Women in Jazz and the Arts Association in 2018.

Mariea told me that a harp has 47 strings and seven different pedals! She said her shows last for an hour. Imagine your fingers playing 47 strings for an hour. Amazing.  www.MarieaAntoinette.com

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over one million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Business Management/Public Relations Strategist and Consultant at Freelance Associates and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENTS: "Uplifting Minds II" Entertainment Conference (ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is into its 26th year. Next events are coming to Baltimore via Zoom Saturday April 19, 2025, presented by Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times, and Los Angeles via Zoom Saturday, November 8, 2025. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering a Professional Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase and National Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive over $20,000 valued in prizes/product/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com RSVP for Zoom Access at EventBrite.com or email info@thepulseofentertainment.com.ent.com.