Jacqui Whittmon
- Music Department
Grammy Award winner Jacqui Whittmon was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her
interest in entertainment came early with strong musical influences
from her uncle, The Reverend Issac Whittmon, who is internationally
recognized as one of the first Gospel artist to be nominated for a
Grammy. Jacqui's godmother, singer/songwriter Patricia Punch, began
coaching Jacqui at a very young age and exposed her to recording
sessions with such legends as Joe Cocker and James Cleveland. Jacqui's
evolution in music was born of the influences from the Motown sound of
Detroit and the soulful sounds of Chicago. Jacqui was also fond of
classical music, opera, and theatre. Together all these elements
rounded her taste in all genres of music and the arts.
After graduating from DePaul University, with a B.S. in accounting, Ms. Whittmon worked at Chicago Kent Law School handling many legal duties. Always having an interest in stage and screen Jacqui then began a career in acting. She landed several roles in the local theater, including the role of Beneatha Younger in A Raisin in the Sun. In 1992, she had an un-credited role as a reporter in Angel Street, a TV movie starring Robin Givens.
From there, Jacqui transitioned into radio, producing Gospelflight a successful two-hour broadcast for WOUI (now WIIT) 88.9 FM Chicago. One of the more popular segments, "Artist Behind the Artist," was a unique interview format in which the weekly guest was a songwriter, musician, producer or other creative-type notably sustaining a lead act. Gospelflight aired from 1993-2004. Through radio, Jacqui became a member of the prestigious GMWA (Gospel Music Workshop of America), and she eventually started a local chapter. In 1998, Jacqui parlayed her radio production experience into film production, co-producing the documentary It Is No Secret, which follows the life of Reverend Clay Evans, the now-retired minister (and full-time gospel singer). As co-producer, Jacqui was instrumental in arranging featured interviews with Reverend Jessie Jackson, Albertina Walker, Billy Kyle and former President Bill Clinton. She was also responsible for obtaining the film's rare footage of Dr. Martin Luther King and Reverend Clay Evans.
In 1996-while in Detroit for a gospel concert featuring Aretha Franklin-Jacqui received an auspicious phone call to play tambourines on an Aretha Franklin recording session. Afterwards, Jacqui was offered a job as a permanent member of Aretha's band; and her first gig was playing President Clinton's inauguration. Jacqui has performed with Miss Aretha on The David Letterman Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, The View and Good Morning America, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Kennedy's Honors to name a few. In 1998, Jacqui performed with Aretha Franklin on VH1's Divas Live, which included live collaborate performances with Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Shania Twain and Patti LaBelle. In 2003, at B.B. Kings in New York, Aretha named Jacqui Whittmon and Andra McKoy "The First Ladies of Tambourine.
In 2000, Jacqui began working as an assistant to noted gospel producer Sanchez Harley. She worked as executive assistant on several gospel music projects. Her participation was instrumental in several Grammy, Dove, and Stellar nominations and awards. The projects included Bishop Paul S. Morton's, Seasons Change ('04) featuring Aretha Franklin, and The Mighty Clouds of Joy, In The House of The Lord; Live in Houston ('05). In 2004, Sanchez Harley created his own record label, Chez Musique, and promoted Jacqui to Executive Vice-President. Jacqui's contributions have helped turn out such chart-topping gospel albums as RiZen's, RiZen2, and Shirley Caesar's, I Know The Truth, whose albums peaked at the #6 and #3 spots, respectively, on The Billboard Gospel Charts in 2005. Jacqui co-produced "Higher Ground" with Sanchez Harley. The song was nominated for Best R& B Vocal, ultimately winning a Grammy for Best Traditional Album in 2010.
Jacqui Whittmon's experience was born of music performance, she has become an intuitive, market-savvy producer, publisher, artist manager, major event co-coordinator and entertainment visionary, Her history is earmarked by her ability to achieve in all genres of music and entertainment. She is known to work honestly and passionately in all of her endeavors. To date, Jacqui still performs with The Queen of Soul, in addition to working with other world-famous, well-respected artists.
As she finds more time to produce, Ms. Whittmon's plans include television and feature film. Jacqui's sincere passion for the arts and artist's make her extraordinary. Her profound work ethic makes her special.
Jack Gilardi of ICM represents Jacqui.
After graduating from DePaul University, with a B.S. in accounting, Ms. Whittmon worked at Chicago Kent Law School handling many legal duties. Always having an interest in stage and screen Jacqui then began a career in acting. She landed several roles in the local theater, including the role of Beneatha Younger in A Raisin in the Sun. In 1992, she had an un-credited role as a reporter in Angel Street, a TV movie starring Robin Givens.
From there, Jacqui transitioned into radio, producing Gospelflight a successful two-hour broadcast for WOUI (now WIIT) 88.9 FM Chicago. One of the more popular segments, "Artist Behind the Artist," was a unique interview format in which the weekly guest was a songwriter, musician, producer or other creative-type notably sustaining a lead act. Gospelflight aired from 1993-2004. Through radio, Jacqui became a member of the prestigious GMWA (Gospel Music Workshop of America), and she eventually started a local chapter. In 1998, Jacqui parlayed her radio production experience into film production, co-producing the documentary It Is No Secret, which follows the life of Reverend Clay Evans, the now-retired minister (and full-time gospel singer). As co-producer, Jacqui was instrumental in arranging featured interviews with Reverend Jessie Jackson, Albertina Walker, Billy Kyle and former President Bill Clinton. She was also responsible for obtaining the film's rare footage of Dr. Martin Luther King and Reverend Clay Evans.
In 1996-while in Detroit for a gospel concert featuring Aretha Franklin-Jacqui received an auspicious phone call to play tambourines on an Aretha Franklin recording session. Afterwards, Jacqui was offered a job as a permanent member of Aretha's band; and her first gig was playing President Clinton's inauguration. Jacqui has performed with Miss Aretha on The David Letterman Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, The View and Good Morning America, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Kennedy's Honors to name a few. In 1998, Jacqui performed with Aretha Franklin on VH1's Divas Live, which included live collaborate performances with Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Shania Twain and Patti LaBelle. In 2003, at B.B. Kings in New York, Aretha named Jacqui Whittmon and Andra McKoy "The First Ladies of Tambourine.
In 2000, Jacqui began working as an assistant to noted gospel producer Sanchez Harley. She worked as executive assistant on several gospel music projects. Her participation was instrumental in several Grammy, Dove, and Stellar nominations and awards. The projects included Bishop Paul S. Morton's, Seasons Change ('04) featuring Aretha Franklin, and The Mighty Clouds of Joy, In The House of The Lord; Live in Houston ('05). In 2004, Sanchez Harley created his own record label, Chez Musique, and promoted Jacqui to Executive Vice-President. Jacqui's contributions have helped turn out such chart-topping gospel albums as RiZen's, RiZen2, and Shirley Caesar's, I Know The Truth, whose albums peaked at the #6 and #3 spots, respectively, on The Billboard Gospel Charts in 2005. Jacqui co-produced "Higher Ground" with Sanchez Harley. The song was nominated for Best R& B Vocal, ultimately winning a Grammy for Best Traditional Album in 2010.
Jacqui Whittmon's experience was born of music performance, she has become an intuitive, market-savvy producer, publisher, artist manager, major event co-coordinator and entertainment visionary, Her history is earmarked by her ability to achieve in all genres of music and entertainment. She is known to work honestly and passionately in all of her endeavors. To date, Jacqui still performs with The Queen of Soul, in addition to working with other world-famous, well-respected artists.
As she finds more time to produce, Ms. Whittmon's plans include television and feature film. Jacqui's sincere passion for the arts and artist's make her extraordinary. Her profound work ethic makes her special.
Jack Gilardi of ICM represents Jacqui.