STEVIE WONDER'S SAXOPHONIST, RYAN KILGORE, RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM

Saxophonist Ryan Kilgore is set to release his debut jazz album Just Walk. The Atlanta native will host an album release concert and tour kick-off at 7pm on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center in Decatur, GA in partnership with Lionslove Entertainment.

Fresh off the Songs in the Key of Life Tour with acclaimed multi-Grammy Award winning Stevie Wonder, Kilgore will perform several songs from his new solo project.

Kilgore picked up the saxophone at the age of eight, and by the age of 14, he was booking weddings. The fourth generation sax player vividly recalls how he got his first horn, “My mom was renting my instrument,” says the 34-year-old. “When she couldn’t keep up with the payments, my grandfather had to step in and buy it for me.”

Because of his grandfather’s unwavering support, Kilgore, the oldest of seven, promised to always pay it forward. And that’s why he started the Ryan Kilgore Music Foundation. The Foundation is spearheading a musical instrument drive at 4pm time in the heart of Stonecrest Mall on Saturday, April 25th (next to Sears). “My generation played an instrument or sang,” says the Southwest DeKalb High School graduate. “But after high school, many people gave up. Their instruments are sitting on the floor. So now these people can donate their instruments to those who can’t afford it.”

Kilgore, who plays both the sax and drums, attended Clark Atlanta University on a full scholarship. As a drum major, he was chosen to star in the 2002 blockbuster movie Drumline. After graduation, Kilgore was discouraged from playing professionally so he accepted odd end jobs. In 2006 he quit his Buckhead security job. “I wanted to pursue music full time,” says Kilgore. “It put me in a spiritual desert, just me, God and my faith. In less than a year, I was in Stevie’s band and touring Japan.”

Kilgore has toured with Tyler Perry’s stage plays; he’s worked with legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. But now he says it’s his time to open up and let his fans know about his journey. “This whole record is about faith,” he says. “The ‘Just Walk’ movement shows how ‘getting by’ is just not good enough.” So this album isn’t only about jazz, its about an experience.”

To book an interview with Ryan Kilgore or to learn more about the musical instrument drive,
Email: jai@lionsloveentertainment.com or visit www.lionsloveentertainment.com

For tickets to the Just Walk album release concert visit: www.kilgoremusic.com