January 2011:  Steppin' Out in the New Year

Swings like . . . The Gate

Kurt's new studio album, The Gate, comes to:

• Australia on January 28
• the UK and Europe on February 7
• the US and Canada on February 8

The Gate features Kurt's long-time musical collaborator and pianist, Laurence Hobgood; Bob Mintzer on sax; John McLean on guitar; John Patitucci on bass; two drummers, Terreon Gulley and Kobie Watkins; and percussionist Lenny Castro.

"The musicians on this recording inspired me to be . . . better," said Elling.
 

Produced by Don Was (Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan), The Gate is a musical collection in which boundaries cease to exist, a sensibility enhanced by producer Don Was, who had expressed the desire to work with Elling - an opportunity which Elling found irresistible.

"I first heard Kurt on the local jazz station and was knocked out by his exotic blend of soul, technique, intelligence and charismatic hipness," Was recalls. "He made this diverse collection of songs his own - and we had a blast."

"What Don brought to this project," said Elling, "was his love of music and musicians, and a confidence that liberated us from all concern. He is the consummate producer and this was an extraordinary experience - my favorite in a studio."

The Gate points Elling into a new and satisfyingly emotional direction. He has somehow found a way to make a deeply personal statement out of the music of King Crimson, Joe Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and the Beatles - in addition to providing a new and vibrant understanding of Miles Davis, Bill Evans, and Herbie Hancock.

Check out the The Gate EPK video to get a taste of this exceptional new album.

You can pre-order The Gate now at your favorite web store or directly from Concord at a great price.

And stay tuned for much more news about The Gate in the Forum on Kurt's website, on his Facebook page, and in next month's newsletter!

The white carpet is out for Kurt & the Klüver's Big Band

From January 26 through February 1, Kurt tours Scandinavia with the Klüver's Big Band, performing seven shows in six cities in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.  This is Kurt's third tour with the orchestra.  He also toured with them in 2004 and 2007.

The Klüver's Big Band was formed in Denmark in 1977 by a group of young music students under the leadership of Jens Klüver and has been playing for over 30 years.

Says Elling, "Klüver's Big Band is one of Europe's best big bands, it is one of the most musical, most exciting and most swinging bands I've ever had the pleasure to work with. It is a band loaded with talent - amazing songwriters, amazing organizers, amazing soloists and great people. I will always work with them again."

Check out this video about Klüver's "Rolling Stones Big Band Tour" to hear them in action.

Watch trumpet player Terell Stafford tear it up with the Klüvers Big Band & Bob Moreno performing the James Brown hit, "I Feel Good."

The Gate

New from Concord on February 8, 2011!

  Short Takes

It was a very good year . . .

JazzTimes just announced that Kurt Elling was voted Male Vocalist of the Year in the 2010 JazzTimes Readers' Poll. This is his sixth win.

In addition to his 2010 GRAMMY for Dedicated to You, Kurt also topped the DownBeat Critics Poll, was named Male Singer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association, and received the 2010 Nightlife Award for Outstanding Jazz Vocalist in a Major Engagement.

Many congratulations, Kurt!


Crazy World, the 2005 album by the Laurence Hobgood Trio, with special guest Kurt Elling, will be reissued on the Naim label on January 11, 2011. You can find it at Amazon and other fine stores.
 

Kurt loves to teach and will offer more in-person master classes in New York City as his touring schedule allows.  He also gives 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.
Kurt's newsletter archive is now available for your browsing pleasure, beginning  with the the 2009 special edition, Kurt Elling Live at the White House.

Revisit those highlights from the past, including great audio and video links, photos, and other gems. Enjoy!