Kurt Elling
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kurt Elling | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kurt Elling |
| Born | November 2, 1967 |
| Origin | U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Label(s) | Concord Records |
| Associated acts | Charlie Hunter |
Kurt Elling (born November 2, 1967) is an American jazz vocalist.
Elling graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota in 1989. He then enrolled in The University of Chicago's Divinity School and remained a student there until January 1992, when he left school one credit short of graduation.
In the last decade, Elling has released seven albums for the Blue Note label. He has also performed and recorded with many musicians, including David Amram, Bob Belden, Joanne Brackeen, Oscar Brown, Jr., Billy Corgan, Orbert Davis, George Freeman, Buddy Guy, Jon Hendricks, Charlie Hunter, Randy Bachman, Bob Mintzer, Rex Richardson, and Bob Sheppard.
Elling has won the Down Beat and JazzTimes critics’ polls three years in a row in the Best Male Singer category. He is also Vice Chair of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the 17,000-member service organization that produces the annual Grammy Awards. Kurt Elling's 2007 album "Nightmoves," released by Concord Jazz, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
As of 2008, Elling's band includes Laurence Hobgood on piano, Robert Amster on bass, and drummer Kobie Watkins. Elling is regularly featured at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge at 4802 N. Broadway in Chicago, generally on Wednesday evenings when the band is not on tour.
[edit] Discography
- 1995 - Close Your Eyes (Blue Note)
- 1997 - The Messenger (Blue Note)
- 1998 - This Time it's Love (Blue Note)
- 2000 - Live in Chicago (Blue Note)
- 2000 - Live in Chicago Out Takes (Blue Note)
- 2001 - Flirting with Twilight (Blue Note)
- 2003 - Man in the Air (Blue Note)
- 2007 - Nightmoves (Concord)
[edit] External links
- KurtElling.com - Elling's official website.
- Kurt Elling at Blue Note Records.com
- Kurt Elling at Concord Music Group.com
- "The State of Jazz Vocals Today," by Ted Gioia, Jazz.com, (February 2008).
- Interview with Centerstage Chicago (August 2006)
