Kurt Elling

The standout male jazz vocalist of our time.  ~  The New York Times


Winter Holidays & New Year's 2009 Touring Dates
Hubble photo of Hogue's Object

Merry Everything!


Or at least, let's attempt it. After all, it is a commandment also to be joyful on the Earth.

We have had a very creative and successful year -- thanks to YOU! DEDICATED TO YOU has been having a great run. We'll find out January 31st if we have finally scored an actual GRAMMY -- this is the ninth consecutive nomination. Either way, we are grateful to you all for supporting the venture. LH and I have learned so much from our time with Ernie Watts, and we look forward to translating everything that has come our way into new music for the new year.

Keep your ears peeled for a new studio record in 2010 along with new special projects -- like my upcoming tour with the MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL ALL-STARS, a new dramatic production (at least some workshops), and even a concert in San Francisco with the COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA doing all the old charts Quincy Jones and Nelson Riddle wrote for Frank Sinatra.

Many thanks to you all for your encouragement and dedication.

Sincerely,

KE


OrnamentDo you hear what I hear?

Hip musical gifts from Kurt to delight you!

Listen: Cool Yule from Yule Be Boppin' (1997)

Listen: The New Year's Song -- a New Year's Eve song by Patricia Barber, with Kurt, Patricia, and Jim Gailloreto on tenor
NEW YEAR'S WEEKEND Gigs

Five performances, one each night, at the Umbria Jazz Festival in beautiful, historic Orvieto, Italy.

December 30 - January 3, 2010
KE Quartet with Ernie Watts
Umbria Jazz Winter #17

Orvieto, Italy

Did you know that the origins of Orvieto go back to Etruscan settlements in the 9th century BC?
Memories from the WHITE HOUSE STATE DINNER, November 24, 2009

KE & LH in the WH Map Room
Backstage at the White House with KE & LH

Kurt:  Marvin Hamlisch conducted the National Symphony, and Laurence and I came on about halfway through for "Nature Boy." It seemed to go off without a hitch. We actually had in the rhythm section the great Clayton Cameron playing drums and Rickey Minor, whom I knew a bit from Recording Academy work. One quick number (stretched out a bit, I admit) and I was done. Laurence stayed on to play three charts with Jennifer Hudson: "The Very Thought Of You," "What a Difference a Day Makes" and Leonard Bernstein's "Somewhere." He played great, of course.

We all stayed in place after coming on for final bows according to a security directive. BHO and Prime Minister Singh both came on stage to thank all and sundry. I must I didn't mind being introduced by the President over the mic with the words, "And of course, we had to have my homeboy and homegirl, Kurt Elling and Jennifer Hudson, come and sing for us -- so let's thank them.... (more)

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Laurence:  I'm sure I don't need to tell you that there's really no preparing for such a moment. That said, I guess I did sort of assume that KE and I would walk up together. But just as we "began our approach" a young woman said to us, "Now, we want you to go up individually." Which is what led to my personal high point of the evening: watching from  what was now less than 20 feet of distance as my best friend walked up ahead of me, then seeing the President of the United States throw his arms out and say, "Kurt!"

And if that's not enough, they then exchanged a "soul" handshake (as opposed to "business") and a half-hug/shoulder bump, then Michelle let KE kiss her cheek; they chatted merrily for about 45 seconds, inquiring about family. Kurt complimented the First Lady's earrings (I believe the President may have had a deadpan, comic response to the earring compliment but it's up to KE to share that if he wants to) and then the three of them had their pic snapped. Then I had my turn to walk up, shake hands with both and say something appropriate and turn toward the flash. It was very brief but no less exciting.... (more)

For their full stories, with more photographs, click here.

Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman

Double GRAMMY-nominated ~ the perfect gift for all the jazz lovers on your list!

List Price: $18.98
Our Price: $14.99
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Lyrics cover


More jazzy goodness for your holiday shopping in Kurt's Store on the website.  You'll find his book of lyrics, selected charts in Laurence's very own hand, the "Live in Chicago Out Takes" CD only available here, several signed Blue Note CDs, and more.


Kurt's website is chock full of music, lyrics, photos, projects, scripts, writing, a great and active Forum, and other surprises.  Come visit us often!


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To all our friends, fans, and supporters around the world . . .

Happy Holidays
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Blessed Solstice

Gl�delig jul
God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt �r
Hyv�� joulua
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Joyeux No�l
Fr�hliche Weihnachten und ein gl�ckliches/gutes Neues Jahr
Vrolijk Kerstfeest with en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar
Sch�ine Chreschtdaag an e gudde Rutsch
Feliz Navidad y pr�spero A�o Nuevo
Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou
Zorionak eta Urte Berri On
Feliz Natal
Buon Natale
Καλά Χριστούγεννα
Boldog kar�csonyt
Crăciun Fericit
Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Srećan Bozić
H�id j�ule
Христос се роди
Среќен Божиќ
G�zuar Krisht�lindjen dhe Vitin e Ri
Mutlu Noeller
A freylikhe nitl un a guter nayer yor
Mīlād Majīd ميلاد مجيد
Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
کریسمس مبارک
Mele Kalikimaka
Selamat Natal
Maligayang Pasko
Sawadee Pee Mai
Gajan Kristnaskon
QISmaS DatIvjaj 'ej DIS chu' DatIvjaj


~ Peace on Earth and Great Jazz to all! ~



Candles