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KURT ELLING


BIO:
Grammy winner Kurt Elling is among the world’s foremost jazz vocalists. He has won every DownBeat Critics Poll for the last thirteen years and has been named “Male Singer of the Year” by the Jazz Journalists Association eight times in that same span. Every one of Elling’s nine albums has been nominated for a Grammy. Elling’s rich baritone spans four octaves and features both astonishing technical mastery and emotional depth. His repertoire includes original compositions and modern interpretations of standards, all of which are springboards for inspired improvisation, scatting, spoken word, and poetry. The New York Times declared, “Elling is the standout male vocalist of our time.” The Washington Post added, “Since the mid-1990s, no singer in jazz has been as daring, dynamic or interesting as Kurt Elling. With his soaring vocal flights, his edgy lyrics and sense of being on a musical mission, he has come to embody the creative spirit in jazz.” Elling was the Artist-in-Residence for the Singapore and Monterey Jazz Festivals. He has also written multi-disciplinary works for The Steppenwolf Theatre and the City of Chicago. The Obama Administration’s first state dinner featured Elling in a command performance. Elling is a renowned artist of vocalese—the writing and performing of words over recorded improvised jazz solos. The natural heir to jazz pioneers Eddie Jefferson, King Pleasure and Jon Hendricks, Elling has set his own lyrics to the improvised solos of Wayne Shorter, Keith Jarrett and Pat Metheny. He often incorporates images and references from writers such as Rilke, Rumi, Neruda and Proust into his work. The late poet and Bollingen Prize winner Robert Creeley wrote, “Kurt Elling takes us into a world of sacred particulars. His words are informed by a powerful poetic spirit.” Said Robert Pinsky, former Poet Laureate of the United States, “In Kurt Elling’s art, the voice of jazz gives a new spiritual presence to the ancient, sweet and powerful bond between poetry and music.” Kurt Elling has toured vigorously throughout his career, thrilling audiences throughout the world. In that time he has led his own ensemble and has collaborated with many of the world’s finest orchestras. 1619 Broadway – The Brill Building Project, is Elling’s much-anticipated new recording which honors and celebrates the locale that the London Telegraph called “the most important generator of popular songs in the Western world.” Elling’s interpretations and signature arrangements of songs like “On Broadway,” “A House Is Not A Home” and “So Far Away” make this record a must-have for those in search of current great singing. Even for the ceaselessly inventive Elling, 1619 Broadway is another unexpected step, and one guaranteed to further solidify his reputation for thrilling innovation and superb craftsmanship.

Latest Articles


Video: Kurt Elling Releases Video For 'A Wish (Valentine)' Feat. Cécile McLorin Salva Photo Video: Kurt Elling Releases Video For 'A Wish (Valentine)' Feat. Cécile McLorin Salvant & Sullivan Fortner
by Josh Sharpe - September 16, 2024

Multi-grammy award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling has released a video for his rendition of Fred Hersch and Norma Winstone’s “A Wish (Valentine),” featuring Cécile McLorin Salvant. The song is taken from Wildflowers, Vol. 1, a brand new, spur-of-the-moment album spontaneously created with pianist Sull...

Video: Emmet Cohen Explains Inspirations Behind Title Track of 'Vibe Provider' Album Photo Video: Emmet Cohen Explains Inspirations Behind Title Track of 'Vibe Provider' Album
by Josh Sharpe - August 13, 2024

Critically acclaimed pianist, composer, and bandleader Emmet Cohen has released a video where he explains the melodic and technical inspirations behind the title track of Vibe Provider, his new album out August 23....

Jazz Singer Deborah Silver Announces Show At City Winery NYC And New Album With Count Photo Jazz Singer Deborah Silver Announces Show At City Winery NYC And New Album With Count Basie Orchestra
by A.A. Cristi - July 11, 2024

Jazz singer Deborah Silver will perform a one-night-only show at City Winery NYC on August 13th and is preparing for her new album 'Basie Rocks' with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra....

Drummer and Composer Larnell Lewis Releases New Recording 'SLICE OF LIFE' Photo Drummer and Composer Larnell Lewis Releases New Recording 'SLICE OF LIFE'
by Blair Ingenthron - April 06, 2024

Drummer and Composer Larnell Lewis has released a new recording 'SLICE OF LIFE,' out now....

Ne-Yo & More to Perform at GRAMMYs After-Show Following Awards Broadcast Photo Ne-Yo & More to Perform at GRAMMYs After-Show Following Awards Broadcast
by Michael Major - January 10, 2024

NE-YO is set to headline the exclusive 2024 GRAMMY Celebration — the Recording Academy's Official After-Party honoring the winners and nominees of Music's Biggest Night. Current GRAMMY nominee SuperBlue: Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter will perform in the GRAMMY Celebration Jazz Lounge and Ben Bakson...

Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter Release 'SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree' Photo Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter Release 'SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree'
by Michael Major - September 15, 2023

Charlie Hunter released their collaborative album SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree via Edition Records. Featuring drummer Corey Fonville and bassist-keyboardist DJ Harrison, the full-length is a continuation of Elling’s SuperBlue collaboration with Charlie Hunter, which includes their 2021 debut full...

Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter Release Cover of Joni Mitchell's 'Black Crow' Photo Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter Release Cover of Joni Mitchell's 'Black Crow'
by Michael Major - July 14, 2023

Multi-GRAMMY award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling and guitarist/producer Charlie Hunter released their new rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Black Crow.” The song is off their upcoming album SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree, a new full-length featuring drummer Corey Fonville and bassist-keyboardist DJ Harr...

Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter Release 'Freeman Square' from 'SuperBlue: The Iridescent Photo Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter Release 'Freeman Square' from 'SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree'
by Michael Major - June 14, 2023

SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree sees Elling and Hunter reunited with drummer Corey Fonville and multi-instrumentalist DJ Harrison (both of jazz-funk fusion quintet Butcher Brown) for a kaleidoscopic collection of new songs, dynamic reinventions, and surprising covers (Joni Mitchell’s “Black Crow.'...

Raue Center's BLUES WEEKEND to Feature Blues Greats Corky Siegel, Ernie Watts, And De Photo Raue Center's BLUES WEEKEND to Feature Blues Greats Corky Siegel, Ernie Watts, And Derrick Procell
by Blair Ingenthron - April 27, 2023

Blues Weekend at Raue Center promises to scratch the itch of any blues music lover, May 18 - 20.  It kicks off May 18 at 6:30 with “A Melodic Approach to Improvisation” an exclusive masterclass with two-time Grammy Winner Ernie Watts....

Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter Announce New Album 'SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree' Photo Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter Announce New Album 'SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree'
by Michael Major - April 25, 2023

Multi-GRAMMY award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling and guitarist/producer Charlie Hunter announced SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree, a new full-length album featuring drummer Corey Fonville and bassist-keyboardist DJ Harrison. “Not Here / Not Now' has composition by Elling, Hunter, Fonville, and Harriso...

Kurt Elling Announces Covers EP 'Guilty Pleasures' ft Charlie Hunter & Nate Smith Photo Kurt Elling Announces Covers EP 'Guilty Pleasures' ft Charlie Hunter & Nate Smith
by Michael Major - January 13, 2023

Guilty Pleasures will be a 6-track EP featuring guitarist Charlie Hunter and special guest drummer Nate Smith. Bursting with Elling’s trademark charisma, energy and showmanship, Guilty Pleasures features six high-octane covers, including Kurt’s new rendition of “Wrap It Up,” originally recorded by R...

BK Drip, Gregory Porter, Maja Hype & More Come to King's Theater This February Photo BK Drip, Gregory Porter, Maja Hype & More Come to King's Theater This February
by A.A. Cristi - January 25, 2022

Kings Theatre will present a variety of shows this February in Brooklyn, NY. Upcoming events include two seatings of SmartLess Tour Live with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes & Will Arnett, BK Drip, Eden Ben Zaken and Eden Hason and more....

Jazz Journalists Association Announces 2021 Jazz Awards Winners Photo Jazz Journalists Association Announces 2021 Jazz Awards Winners
by A.A. Cristi - May 07, 2021

As trending in the greater jazz community, creative women earned significant recognition: Composer-orchestra leader Maria Schneider, whose album Data Lords (ArtistShare) is Record of the Year, and drummer-producer educator Terri Lyne Carrington, Jazz Musician of the Year, won multiple awards. Women ...

2021 JJA Jazz Awards Winners Announced Photo 2021 JJA Jazz Awards Winners Announced
by Sarah Jae Leiber - May 06, 2021

See all results of JJA members' 25th annual voting in 47 categories that honor writers, photographers, broadcasters, books, documentaries, podcasts and live-stream productions as well as musicians' achievements, at JAJazzAwards.org.  ...

Kurt Elling's Virtual 'Christmas in Chicago' Set for Dec. 6 Photo Kurt Elling's Virtual 'Christmas in Chicago' Set for Dec. 6
by Sarah Jae Leiber - December 02, 2020

On December 6th at 3pm CST the world’s preeminent jazz singer, Kurt Elling, will present a special livestreamed holiday performance—featuring special guest Lizz Wright—at Chicago’s famed Green Mill Cocktail Lounge....

Ramsey Lewis Announces SATURDAY SALON - SOUND OF CHRISTMAS Photo Ramsey Lewis Announces SATURDAY SALON - SOUND OF CHRISTMAS
by Stephi Wild - November 20, 2020

GRAMMY Award-winning pianist and NEA Jazz Master Ramsey Lewis presents an exclusive concert experience Saturday November 28 at 1PM CT - Sound Of Christmas. For this performance Ramsey revisits his classic Holiday record Sound Of Christmas. ...

Lisabel Releases Debut Album A WORK OF ART Photo Lisabel Releases Debut Album A WORK OF ART
by Kaitlin Milligan - May 06, 2020

London based singer-songwriter Lisabel has released her debut album, A Work Of Art on May 5th....

Ever Records Announce Kansas Smitty's THINGS HAPPENED HERE Photo Ever Records Announce Kansas Smitty's THINGS HAPPENED HERE
by Kaitlin Milligan - March 04, 2020

Drawing influence from over one hundred years of jazz history, from Django Reinhardt to Ahmad Jamal, and the vivid musical landscapes of Debussy and even Brian Eno, British seven-piece and residents/owners of East London venue/bar of the same name, Kansas Smitty's combine journeying with cinematic t...

International Jazz Icon Igor Butman Announces 2020 Winter US Tour Photo International Jazz Icon Igor Butman Announces 2020 Winter US Tour
by Kaitlin Milligan - December 19, 2019

This coming January, world famous saxophone player, bandleader and producer Igor Butman will travel to the United States for a five-city tour of some of the country's most celebrated jazz institutions. The tour will mark the twentieth anniversary of Butman's acclaimed Moscow Jazz Orchestra, a 16-pie...

Rediscover Patsy Cline with First-Ever Jazz Tribute, Debut from Artist Staci Griesbac Photo Rediscover Patsy Cline with First-Ever Jazz Tribute, Debut from Artist Staci Griesbach
by Sarah Jae Leiber - August 20, 2019

Patsy Cline's trailblazing spirit is remembered in a?oeMy Patsy Cline Songbook,a?? the first-ever, full-length jazz tribute album arriving August 23, 2019.  Drawing on her country roots, vocalist Staci Griesbach's debut album explores looking at the Nashville Songbook as another treasure trove to co...

Carnegie Hall Announces Youth Ensemble's Summer Performances to be Broadcast Around t Photo Carnegie Hall Announces Youth Ensemble's Summer Performances to be Broadcast Around the Globe
by Sarah Hookey - July 25, 2019

This summer, US and international performances by Carnegie Hall's three acclaimed national youth ensembles—the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), NYO2, and NYO Jazz will be broadcast and webcast to audiences around the globe, extending their music making to a wide in...

NYO Jazz Heads Out On Debut Tour To Asia This Summer Photo NYO Jazz Heads Out On Debut Tour To Asia This Summer
by A.A. Cristi - July 11, 2019

This summer, Carnegie Hall's national youth jazz orchestra NYO Jazz—returns for its second year after a triumphant Carnegie Hall debut and inaugural international tour in 2018. The critically-acclaimed ensemble features 23 outstanding young American jazz musicians (ages 16-19) selected from across t...

Judy Wexler to Hold San Diego CD Release Concert for 'Crowded Heart' Photo Judy Wexler to Hold San Diego CD Release Concert for 'Crowded Heart'
by Kaitlin Milligan - June 27, 2019

On Wednesday, July 17th, acclaimed Los Angeles-based jazz vocalist Judy Wexler will perform a CD release concert at Martinis Above Fourth in San Diego, singing the music from her widely lauded new album, Crowded Heart....

MCG Jazz Presents The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra 'Jazz Beyond Borders' Photo MCG Jazz Presents The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra 'Jazz Beyond Borders'
by Kaitlin Milligan - March 13, 2019

MCG Jazz is pleased to announce a special engagement featuring The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra (SJMO), the 19-piece big band orchestra in-residence at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, in Houston, TX, on Monday, March 18, 2019.  In partnership with Houston First and t...

New Orleans Jazz Orchestra Returns from 3-Year Recording Hiatus with New Orleans Jazz Orchestra Returns from 3-Year Recording Hiatus with "Songs: The Music of Allen Toussaint" on Storyville Records
by Robert Diamond - March 03, 2019

The renowned New Orleans Jazz Orchestra reflects on the wide-ranging influence of the Big Easy's own Allen Toussaint, the legendary composer, singer, pianist, and producer, with the March 29 digital release of "Songs: The Music of Allen Toussaint" on Storyville Records (physical release is...












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