Feb 23, 2009
Sometimes it all just comes together
Kurt Elling had some mighty big shoes to fill Sunday night: He was paying tribute to the 1963 ballads album "John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman," which, though only clocking in around half an hour, has been considered a classic for its more than...
Feb 22, 2009
Kurt Elling Pays Homage
Friday night at the University of Minnesota's Ted Mann Concert Hall, singer Kurt Elling and his group paid musical homage to one of the greatest — and most unsung — of all jazz vocalists: the late Johnny Hartman Elling and a...
Feb 21, 2009
The alchemist of jazz
The most important part of a jazz singer's body might be between the ears, with nerve and gut instinct not far behind Sure, the vocal cords, diaphragm and mouth are essential, but if you're singing jazz, you need to make the mundane magic and...
Feb 18, 2009
Jazz Singer Revisits Coltrane Ballads Record
Mainstream jazz is in a retrospective mood right now, with a multitude of projects exploring the charts and achievements of the great figures of the 1960s Kurt Elling's investigation of the territory opened up by Johnny Hartman and John...
Jan 26, 2009
Elling: Boldly re-imagining Hartman’s balladry
Two of Chicago's most innovative jazz artists unveiled their newest music over the weekend, to often startling effect It has been a long time since singer Kurt Elling offered work that delivered on his early promise But the sounds he produced...
Jan 24, 2009
Playfully Laying Claim to Songs of Two Jazz Greats
"John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman,†recorded in 1963, is rightly hailed as one of the finest jazz vocal albums ever made A marvel of low-flickering intensity, it represents the perfect fulfillment of Hartman's calling as a balladeer, and...
Jan 17, 2009
Kurt Elling: ‘S Wonderful
Kurt Elling didn't actually sing the Gershwin's 'S Wonderful – or anything else from the standard jazz repertoire until the encore of My Foolish Heart – but it would have served as the perfect summing-up of this long awaited...
Jan 17, 2009
JazzTimes Readers’ Poll: Kurt Elling is #1
Once again, Kurt has won first place in the 2008 JazzTimes Readers' Poll for male vocalist of the year Tony Bennett, Mark Murphy, and Jamie Cullum got honorable mentions You can see the full results here As always, congratulations,...
Jan 08, 2009
America’s new Sinatra blows in from windy city
Kurt Elling is, at one and the same time, a throwback to a classic age and a glimpse into the future His rich vocal tone embodies every great jazz singer There's a hint of Sinatra, a touch of Mark Murphy's insouciance, Sheila Jordan's mischief...
Dec 10, 2008
Elling: Sold Out & Magical in Toronto
Kurt Elling performed one extended set a the intimate Diesel Playhouse, a sold out show, standing room only Thankfully the organizers of the show did their best to find chairs for everyone Audience members also shared tables and chairs so that...
Dec 09, 2008
New! Kurt Elling DVD: “Live in Montreal”
Kurt Elling's first DVD, "Live in Montreal," has just been released in Europe! Recorded at the 2007 Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, this special DVD features selections from Kurt's latest album, "Nightmoves" He's joined by...
Nov 24, 2008
“Dedicated to You” at the London Jazz Festival
During one of the evening's many spoken interludes, Kurt Elling, lyrics in hand, speaks in awe of an album recorded in one take - without rehearsal An album, a precious gem in the repertoire of John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, that Elling is...