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Kurt Elling
The standout male jazz vocalist of our time -- The New York Times
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December 2010: Celebrations of Light
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Newgrange photo by Cyril Byrne, courtesy of The Irish Times |
Steppin' out, into the night,
into the light In the dark of winter, we celebrate the season of light! This year, Hannukah, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, is December 1-9. In the northern hemisphere, the light returns at the winter solstice, December 21, at 11:38 pm GMT. Christmas is December 25, and the twelve days of Christmas end on Epiphany, January 6. Three millennia ago, the Newgrange megalith was built in Ireland, preceding Stonehenge by 1000 years. Every year, the rising sun on the winter solstice floods its underground passage with light, like a Gate beckoning beyond. So this December, make merry, make a jazzy joyful noise, and step out . . . into the Light. |
Kurt's new album, The Gate, will be released February 8, 2011 on the Concord label
It features a stellar band with bassist John Patituci, guitarist John McLean, saxophonist Bob Mintzer, and drummers Terreon Gully and Kobie Watkins, in addition to the brilliance of Kurt and Laurence.Fans who've been to recent shows have already heard some of the tunes performed live: Steppin' Out, Golden Lady, Norwegian Wood, and Samurai Cowboy.
The Gate also includes Matte Kudasai, Come Running to Me, Blue in Green, After the Love Is Gone, and Nighttown, Lady Bright.Unlike Nightmoves, which had a theme, The Gate has a vibe, a mood. It's both a logical extension of all Kurt's studio recordings and also something very different from much of what he's been playing in the last few years. Expect to be delightfully surprised!Kurt remarks, "Every time I make a record, I have a new set of tasks in my mind for myself. All my musicians are of top caliber, so I have to step up my game and rise into a new space. I want each album and each live performance to be a step forward for me and my fans."Producer Don Was said, "The thing I love about this record is nobody's trying." The sound is full, the musicians are relaxed, and the music flows effortlessly, like a fabulous conversation among master artists. Laurence adds, "I have to believe that this record is really going to have an impact -- it's got something that is a new level for us.""We're out there doing what we can to make the world a better place in our own way. We see people at performances who are deeply moved. They are bearing witness to artistry and to forms of expression where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. It affects people deeply. I think that's really important."
Stay tuned for much more news about The Gate!
In the meantime, check out this smokin' video of Samurai Cowboy live from last summer's North Sea Jazz Festival in The Netherlands. Kurt's irresistible lyric is here.
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In the spotlight: Ulysses Owens, Jr.
Ulysses "Bim" Owens Jr. is an exceptionally talented young artist and very musical drummer. A 2006 graduate of Julliard's Jazz Studies program, he now tours with Kurt, the Laurence Hobgood Trio, and Christian McBride. Even though he's not yet 30, he's already played with many jazz greats, including Mulgrew Miller, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Russell Malone, Wynton Marsalis, Ron Carter, Lee Konitz, Eric Reed, Terence Blanchard, and others.
Ulysses picked up the sticks early. At two he was experimenting with the drums in church, showing amazing natural ability. He didn't get formal instruction until he was eight, when he began studying classical percussion, drum set, and classical piano. His understanding of melody and harmony and his compositional talents bring great musical awareness and sensitivity to his playing.
In 2009 Ulysses released his debut album, the U.O. Project's It's Time for U, and composed four of its seven tunes. JazzTimes said, "The songs are ruled by an unforeseeable force that directs their course steadily congregating into deft arrangements."
Ulysses serves as Artistic Director of Don't Miss a Beat, a nonprofit in his hometown of Jacksonville, FL, whose vision is to expose local inner city youth to the arts. He conducts clinics and classes and educates students throughout the world about using the arts as an alternative to violence.
 He's been with the Kurt Elling Quartet for two and a half years. He says that he plays with Kurt like he's a horn. As he notes, "Kurt is an amazing singer. He has an amazing ability to captivate people with his gift. That's something you don't always see. Working with him, learning how he does what he does, how to be a part of that, and how to assist him on that has been a great experience."
Ulysses declares, "It's my desire to be one of the most present, intense drummers you will ever hear, but that doesn't necessarily mean loud. Intensity is having a
full presence, a full sound, and a full passion."
Read the Portrait of Ulysses Owens in Modern Drummer magazine, November 2010.
Watch him in action, playing:
Cherokee, at a blistering tempo, with the Christian McBride Trio -- Christian McBride on bass, Ulysses on drums, and Peter Martin at the piano.
Samurai Cowboy, trading 8s with Kurt at the beginning of the tune, at the North Sea Jazz Festival.
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Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane & Hartman
2010 GRAMMY winner
& double nominated! Features Ernie Watts on tenor sax & the ETHEL string quartet. Exquisite!
List Price: $18.98
Our Price: $14.99
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 Short Takes
The video of Kurt's Jazz Master Class at the Kennedy Center will be posted on their website in a few weeks. Fans raved about it afterward, saying it was informative, honest, fun, and illuminating, especially for vocalists.
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Kurt loves to teach and will offer more in-person master classes in New York City as his touring schedule allows. He's also experimenting with private lessons via Skype video conferencing so singers all over the planet can learn from him without traveling to New York. If you're interested in master classes or lessons via Skype, please e-mail teaching@kurtelling.com for details & to be put on that mailing list.
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The Kurt Elling Quartet with special guest Bob Sheppard headlined the 21st annual Wangaratta Jazz Festival at the end of October. Their performance was recorded and will be broadcast on Mal Stanley's Jazztrack on ABC National Radio (Australia). As soon as the broadcast is scheduled, it will be announced in the Forum and on Kurt's Facebook page. The podcast will be available on line for two weeks after the broadcast.
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At the end of their Australian tour, Anita Pollard, a jazz singer and broadcaster in Sydney, interviewed Kurt and Laurence for her radio show on 2RDJ-FM. Those podcasts are available on line for your listening pleasure. Kurt's interview is 4 minutes long. Laurence and Anita talked for 28 minutes at the Sydney airport (with planes flying overhead!) in a great, wide-ranging interview.
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| DECEMBER Gigs |
| December 4, 2010
Kurt Elling Quartet with John McLean
San Joaquin Delta Jazz Festival
San Joaquin Delta College
5151 Pacific Ave
Stockton, CA
December 13, 2010
Kurt Elling Quartet
Ottawa Jazz Festival Benefit Concert
Library & Archives Canada
395 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Canada
December 17, 2010
Kurt Elling Quartet
The Green Mill
4802 N. Broadway Ave
Chicago, IL
December 18, 2010
Kurt Elling Quartet
The Green Mill
4802 N. Broadway Ave
Chicago, IL
December 31, 2010
Kurt Elling Quartet with John McLean
New Year's Eve in the Modern Wing
Benefit hosted by the Society of Contemporary Art
Terzo Piano, Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL
Coming up in 2011
Kurt's upcoming gigs in 2011 are on the Touring page on his website. That's where you'll always find the most current information. Check there often, as new dates are always being added.
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~ Bringing the KEQ to a Stage Near You ~
Kurt and Laurence are on the road about 200 nights a year, playing around the world. They only perform where they've been invited and they don't get to set their own itinerary.
Do you want to hear Kurt and the band play in your city, region, or country? Ask your favorite jazz clubs or festivals to book them through Ted Kurland Associates. That's how to make it happen!
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Your Moment of Elling . . .
Fall in love with something -- find your place and follow up on that. If you work harder and are more demanding of yourself,
more in love with it, more energetic than anybody,
chances are you'll get what you want.Find something that you love and seek to give your everything
to that love. If one dedicates oneself out of a pure motive
then one will find the answer to all particular questions
in satisfaction of purpose.
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