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Kurt Elling
The standout male jazz vocalist of our time -- The New York Times
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August 2011: Starry Nights
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 Joni's Jazz at the Hollywood Bowl On Wednesday, August 17, Kurt performs at the Hollywood Bowl with an all-star ensemble celebrating Joni's Jazz, featuring the music from the most radical and artistically elevated period in Joni Mitchell's storied career. In the first half of the evening, five guest singers will each perform two selections drawn from Joni Mitchell's jazz albums, Court and Spark, Hejira, Don Juan's Reckless Daughter, and Mingus. After intermission, each singer will perform two songs from Joni's 1975 masterpiece, The Hissing of Summer Lawns, which will be performed in its entirety and in sequence. Artists for this very special performance celebrating Joni's Jazz: Herbie Hancock, special guest Kurt Elling, special guest Glen Hansard, special guest Aimee Mann, special guest Chaka Khan, special guest Wayne Shorter, special guest Cassandra Wilson, special guest Brian Blade, drums/arranger Jon Cowherd, piano, keyboards/arranger Greg Leisz, guitars Marvin Sewell, guitars Chris Thomas, bass Jeff Haynes, percussion Tom Scott, saxophone Mark Isham, trumpet Tickets are still available! Please note that Joni Mitchell is not scheduled to perform.
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Vote Now in the 76th DownBeat Readers Poll!
Voting is open to jazz lovers everywhere on the planet until Monday, August 22, 2011.
 Kurt won the DownBeat Critics Poll award for Male Vocalist of the Year again this year. That's twelve years in a row -- an amazing achievement. And he was awarded Talent Deserving Wider Recognition for four years before that.
Let's make it a clean sweep with a KE win in the 2011 DownBeat Readers Poll, too. Last year, a mere 64 votes kept him out of first place.
Since this is the DownBeat Readers Poll, you need to subscribe to vote -- either with a paid subscription to DownBeat magazine (print or e-edition) OR with a FREE subscription to their eHeadlines Newsletter.
If you're not already a subscriber, you can sign up for the FREE e-Newsletter here.
Your e-mail must be on file with DownBeat for your vote to count in the Readers Poll! You can vote early, but please vote only once.
Just go to the DownBeat website and click the VOTE 76th Annual Readers Poll button at the top.
Remember, voting closes soon -- Monday, August 22 -- so cast your vote today. And please tell all your jazzy friends to join you! Let's get out a great big jazz vote for Kurt.
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On Tuesday, August 9, 2011 Kurt is offering another master class from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
Michiko Rehearsal Studios 149 West 46th Street New York, NY 10036 Cost: $125 to participate (sing) and $60 to audit (listen). For anyone who has participated in a previous class, it's only $30 to audit. Space is limited! To reserve your space, please email teaching@kurtelling.com. A deposit is required to secure your spot. Kurt's master classes are for performing singers, at least college age and above. However, anyone may audit, including fans, friends, and non-singers. If you're uncertain about participating as a singer, please audit a class first. Please bring the lead sheets for what you want to sing. You'll have a piano accompanist and work with a microphone and sound system. You're welcome to make an audio recording of the session for your own use. Jeremy Siskind, piano accompanist Jeremy Siskind is a talented pianist who has accompanied Kurt's master classes before. In July he won second prize in the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival's Solo Piano Competition. Jeremy is available to accompany rehearsals, recording sessions, or gigs. Questions? If you have any questions, please email teaching@kurtelling.com. | |
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North Sea Jazz Revisited
Thanks to Radio 6 and Cultura TV, you can watch this very special concert from North Sea Jazz featuring Jon Hendricks, Al Jarreau, and Kurt Elling, with the Metropole Orchestra, conducted by Vince Mendoza. Three generations of outstanding jazz vocalists on one stage, all having the time of their lives!
Jon Hendricks will be 90 in September, and he sings the poignant "September of My Years." At 71, Al Jarreau is in still his prime, performing "Cold Duck" and "Scootcha Booty."
Kurt sings "Norwegian Wood" and "Esperanto," which features his lyrics to Vince Mendoza's beautiful composition, "Esperança."
The full video is here. (No word on how long it will be available, so watch it soon.)
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The last two tunes the three perform together are also on YouTube. Not to be missed!
Goin' to Chicago
Jarreau, Hendricks, Elling & Metropole Orchestra
North Sea Jazz, 9 July 2011
Roll 'em Pete
Jarreau, Hendricks, Elling & Metropole Orchestra
North Sea Jazz, 9 July 2011
Bonus videos:
Kurt Elling Interview with Radio 6 (NL)
North Sea Jazz, 9 July 2011
All the Way
Kurt Elling Swing Sinatra with the Klüvers Big Band
with Mads Baerentzen on piano
North Sea Jazz, 9 July 2011
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Kurt Elling with Laurence Hobgood, and featuring John Patitucci, John McLean, Bob Mintzer, Terreon Gully, Kobie Watkins, and Lenny Castro. Produced by Don Was. 
Watch the behind-the-scenes
video and listen to Don Was
talk about The Gate, Kurt, and the band.
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 Short TakesThe Laurence Hobgood Quartet, featuring Joel Frahm on tenor saxophone, is at The Moldy Fig in New York City (Lower East Side) on Saturday, August 13, from 8 pm - midnight.Joining Laurence are Matthew Rybicki on bass and Jared Shonig on drums -- both fine players. If you're in the New York area, this is a rare opportunity to hear Laurence on his own gig. And it's a real bargain for only $10 + 1 drink minimum! v Elysabeth Alfano from Fear No ART Chicago interviewed Kurt when he performed at the Green Mill in July.  That interview will air in September on Fear No ART Chicago in anticipation of Kurt's dates at the Green Mill in October when he appears with the Klüvers Big Band. The interview is a candid and intimate conversation about Kurt's incredible drive and passion for jazz, and what his art means to him. Stay tuned...
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The new edition of Lyrics, Kurt's first book, will be out soon, published again by Circumstantial Productions. It features a revised and expanded introduction and six previously unpublished lyrics. Watch for it in Kurt's Store. v |
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| AUGUST - EARLY SEPTEMBER Gigs |
August 9, 2011
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Kurt Elling Master Class
Michiko Rehearsal Studios
149 West 46th Street
New York, NY
Email teaching@kurtelling.com to reserve your spot August 13, 2011
Laurence Hobgood Quartet featuring Joel Frahm
The Moldy Fig
178 Stanton Street
New York, NY
Note: Kurt is not performing on this gig August 17, 2011
Joni's Jazz
Special guests to also include Herbie Hancock,
Chaka Khan, Glen Hansard, Aimee Mann,
Wayne Shorter, Cassandra Wilson, and more
Hollywood Bowl
2301 North Highland Avenue
Hollywood, CA
August 27, 2011
Kurt Elling Quartet with John McLean
Lewiston Jazz Festival - FREE!
Main Stage - 4th and Center
Lewiston, NY
September 3, 2011
Kurt Elling Quartet with John McLean
Grand Hotel Tea Garden
Grand Hotel
1 Grand Hotel Avenue
Mackinac Island, MI
Coming up Kurt's upcoming gigs in 2011-12 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. To bring the KEQ to a stage near you Kurt and Laurence are on the road about 200 nights a year. They only perform where they've been invited and they don't get to set their own itinerary. To hear Kurt and the band play in your city, region, or country, please ask your favorite jazz clubs or festivals to book them through Kurt's new booking agency, IMN (International Music Network). Thank you! |
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Your Moment of Elling . . .
I always want to be surprising the audience
and giving them something
that they won't have had the chance
to hear on any of my records.
I really want to reward them
and give them a reason or two for coming out.
I want people to come out of my shows
overwhelmed -- emotionally, intellectually --
because I want to keep doing this.
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