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Kurt Elling
Elling may be the greatest male Jazz singer of all time. ~ Jazz Review
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February 2014: Jazz wins hearts & minds
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Kurt's Concerts in
February & March
 The Kurt Elling Quintet, with Xavier Davis on piano and Kendrick Scott on drums, tours in the Midwest in February with a series of heart-winning Valentine's Day shows.
On Thursday, February 13, they return to the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant in Minneapolis for two shows at 7:00 and 9:00 pm. Then they go to Brookfield, WI to perform at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, February 14.
Sunday, February 16, is a special day at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL. The new Cleve Carney Art Gallery will be dedicated at 3:00 pm, followed by Kurt's Valentine's Concert at 4:00. For more about these two special events, please see the story below.
Then Kurt flies to Scotland to perform again with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Tommy Smith, in Perth, Edinburgh, and Glasgow from February 21-23. The SNJO has commissioned a new programme, An Evening with Kurt Elling: Syntopicon, exploring life philosophies through music. This will be mind-winning jazz that touches hearts, too. For details, please see the story below. Finally, Kurt and pianist Gary Versace will perform with the UMO Jazz Orchestra for two concerts in Finland, in Helskinki on February 26 and in Espoo on February 27.
Then in early March, the Kurt Elling Quintet, this time with Gary Versace on piano, performs in Italy, Poland, and Slovakia. On March 4, they're at Teatro Lauro Rossi in Macerata and on the 5th at Teatro Ermete Novelli in Rimini, both in Italy. Next they travel to Poland for the Szczecin Music Fest 2014, performing at Opera na Zamku in Szczecin on March 6. The following night they play at the XIX Muzeum Jazz Festiwal at Kino Komeda in Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland. They finish this European jaunt on March 8 with a concert at Veľké koncertné stúdio Slovenského rozhlasu in Bratislava, Slovakia. Then it's back to the United States for some dates on the West Coast, where Xavier Davis rejoins the band on piano.
On Wednesday, March 19, the KEQ performs on the Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. On Thursday, March 20, they'll be just north of Seattle at the Edmonds Center for the Arts in Edmonds, WA. March 20 (at 16:57 UTC) also marks the Vernal Equinox, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. Will Kurt sing "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most"?
As always, Kurt's full concert schedule is on the Touring page of his website where you can find all the details and links for tickets.
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An Evening with Kurt Elling: Syntopicon
The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO), directed by saxophonist Tommy Smith, embarks on another adventurous collaboration with Kurt Elling, presenting Syntopicon, a concert exploring life's philosophies through music.
The term "syntopicon" was coined for the 1952 publication of A Syntopicon: An Index to the Great Ideas, a two-volume index for Encyclopedia Britannica's Great Books of the Western World.
For these SNJO concerts, "syntopicon" is a portmanteau, a grab-bag of ideas, or group of topics that use music to embrace and deliver universal ideas through intelligent words, wonderful music and breathtaking song, extolling in equal measures the vicissitudes of Love, Life, Joy, Beauty, Knowledge, Language, and Courage.
Fresh arrangements commissioned by the SNJO give free reign to Kurt's highly cultivated use of vocalese, the creation of a new song based on an improvised melody.
From Leonard Bernstein's euphoric and youthful "Somewhere" from West Side Story and Paul Simon's "American Tune" to taking a spin in John Scofield's "Jeep on 35," the dazzling diversity of material will win jazz hearts and minds alike. There's a place, too, for the internationalism of Vince Mendoza's "Esperanto," a chance to "Go" on one of Wayne Shorter's stellar excursions, and time to enjoy the quiet, still waters with a "boat song" about unrequited love closer to home in Scotland.
The vision is as celebratory as it is revelatory. Some of the most admired works of Mingus, Monk, Ellington, Pastorius and Shorter have been arranged by some of the foremost jazz arrangers worldwide. Geoffrey Keezer, Michael Abene, Bob Mintzer, Tommy Smith, Fred Sturm, and Jim McNeely have all contributed to this programme of wonderful music, breathtaking songs, and shared experience.
A few days before the Syntopicon concerts, the SNJO is also releasing their latest recording, American Adventure, recorded last June in New York. It features a stellar line-up of guests, including Kurt performing the Charles Mingus tune, "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love," arranged by Tommy Smith. They will perform this tune together in the Syntopicon concerts as well.
The Scots culture has a special resonance in Kurt's heart."I made some lifelong friends in Scotland while catching great jazz artists in Edinburgh back in the late '80s, when I was doing a year abroad. To be returning as a jazz singer myself and to be taken up by Scottish Jazz fans is a wonderful thrill for me."
Kurt toured with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra in 2011. Tommy Smith remarked then,
"We've had a thrilling time with the world's greatest jazz singer, and personally I've had a really eye-opening and illluminating time hanging out with Kurt and learning from his experience and great talent."
Today Kurt says, "I am working very hard to be ready for this gig. It's a lot of new music for me. Still figuring out how to sing a lot of it. I know Tommy's band will be HOT, so I'd better be ready to BRING IT!"
The full Syntopicon repertoire is here.
Tickets are going fast, so make your plans now to attend one of these very special concerts.
21 February 2014
22 February 2014
23 February 2014
All concerts begin at 7:30. There is also a pre-concert talk with Kurt and Tommy at 6:45 pm.
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 Cleve Carney Art Gallery Dedication & Valentine's Concert
Kurt Elling and his new band, this time with Xavier Davis on piano, Clark Sommers on bass, John McLean on guitar, and Kendrick Scott on drums, returns to the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL for a Valentine's Concert at 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 16.
The concert follows the 3:00 pm dedication of the MAC's new Cleve Carney Art Gallery. Kurt is the son-in-law of the late Cleve Carney.
Kurt says, "I am proud to have a small role in the opening of the Cleve Carney Art Gallery at College of DuPage. Nothing befits Cleve's legacy more and I am happy to share the stage this afternoon with some of the works of visual art that Cleve loved most."
Cleve Carney was passionate about the arts and an avid supporter and collector of contemporary work by local, as well as national and international artists. He had an appetite and inquisitiveness for new art that continued to broaden the scope of his collection up until the end of his life.
Those attending the dedication will have the opportunity to view the gallery's inaugural exhibition, "Selection of Artworks from the Cleve Carney Collection," which runs February 6 through March 29.
Join Kurt for this special afternoon's feast for your eyes and ears, winning hearts and minds with gorgeous art and great music! Concert information and tickets are here.
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Sailing away on the Jazz Cruise
Kurt and the band just returned from the 2014 Jazz Cruise where they played six shows. Kurt also performed twice with the Big Band and sat in with Ann Hampton Callaway and with Bill Charlap.
Kurt also performed with the All-Stars where he sang with Houston Person, shown below with Kurt, Lewis Nash, and Jeff Clayton.
 On the Cruise, Kurt also raised a celebratory glass with this year's Grammy winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album, Gregory Porter.
Kurt says, "The jazz cruise is super hip. It's a jazz festival at sea with great acts, a wonderful hang with cats and a loving, informed audience. I have really grown to love my time onboard and recommend it to any jazz lover from any port of call."
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33rd Chicago Music Awards
Vote on line NOW!
Kurt Elling has been nominated for Best Jazz/Blues Superstar of the Year in the 33rd Chicago Music Awards! Vote on line for the winners in any of 37 categories. Voting closes at midnight Monday, February 10. The nominees were selected by experts in the music industry covering a 200 miles radius in the Chicagoland area (including radio disc jockeys, newspaper/magazine writers, record/music stores, promoters, producers, record labels, night clubs, booking agents, entertainment attorneys and others connected to the entertainment industry). Category #2 on the ballot is Best Jazz/Blues Superstar of the Year.This year's nominees are Ramsey Lewis, Buddy Guy, Billy Branch, Kurt Elling, Mavis Staples, Sugar Blue, and Corky Siegel. |
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1619 Broadway - The Brill Building Project
Kurt Elling with Laurence Hobgood, and featuring John McLean, Clark Sommers, Kendrick Scott, Christian McBride, Ernie Watts, Joel Frahm, Tom Luer, and Kye Palmer Watch Kurt's video about 1619 Broadway & share it with your friends!  | |
Kurt Elling | 1619 Broadway: The Brill Building Project
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 Short Takes
Last summer, the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO) toured in the US and Canada for the first time. They also spent two days in New York at Avatar Studios to record with some of America's most admired jazz musicians.
The result is American Adventure, featuring special guests Mike Stern, Kurt Elling, Bill Evans, David Liebman, Randy Brecker, Joe Locke, Clarence Penn, Donny McCaslin, Alyn Cosker, David Kikoski, Joel Frahm, and Michael Dease.
American Adventure will be released on February 17. Order your copy now from Spartacus Records, Amazon, and iTunes.
Early praise:
"Knock-out performances." "Another blockbuster." "Contemporary big-band music of the highest quality."
"There's not a moment here which isn't marked by that special, finely distilled blend of literate intelligence and improvisational verve which one has long come to associate with the SNJO."
Kurt says, "They hold themselves to the highest standards of musicianship and perform new music and classic charts with ingenuity and verve. I am a fan!"
This week Kurt posted on Facebook, "My extraordinary friend Rénee Fleming, as gorgeous as can be" with the USA Today story that Fleming "absolutely nailed the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLVIII." Watch her brilliant performance.
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| FEBRUARY-MARCH Gigs |
February 13, 2014
TWO SHOWS
Kurt Elling Quintet
Dakota Jazz Club
1010 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MNFebruary 14, 2014 Kurt Elling Quintet Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts 19805 W. Capitol Dr Brookfield, WI February 16, 2014 Kurt Elling Quintet Valentine Concert & Cleve Carney Art Gallery Dedication McAninch Arts Center College of DuPage Fawell & Park Blvds Glen Ellyn, ILFebruary 21, 2014 An Evening with Kurt Elling: Syntopicon Scottish National Jazz Orchestra Conducted by Tommy Smith Perth Concert Hall Mill St Perth PH1 5HZ, SCOTLAND February 22, 2014 An Evening with Kurt Elling: Syntopicon Scottish National Jazz Orchestra Conducted by Tommy Smith The Queens Hall 85-89 Clerk St Edinburgh EH8 9JG, SCOTLAND February 23, 2014 An Evening with Kurt Elling: Syntopicon Scottish National Jazz Orchestra Conducted by Tommy Smith Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 100 Renfrew St Glasgow G2 3DB, SCOTLAND
February 26, 2014 Kurt Elling with the UMO Jazz Orchestra Savoy Theatre Kasarmikatu 46-48 00130 Helsinki, FINLAND
February 27, 2014 Kurt Elling with the UMO Jazz Orchestra Tapiola Hall Espoon kulttuurikeskus Kulttuuriaukio 2 02100 Espoo, FINLAND
March 3, 2014 Kurt Elling Quintet Teatro Lauro Rossi Piazza della Libertŕ, 18 62100 Macerata, ITALY March 5, 2014 Kurt Elling Quintet Teatro Ermete Novelli Via Alfredo Cappellini, 3 47921 Rimini, ITALY March 6, 2014 Kurt Elling Quintet Szczecin Music Fest 2014 Opera na Zamku ul. Korsarzy 34 70-540 Szczecin, POLAND
March 7, 2014 Kurt Elling Quintet XIX Muzeum Jazz Festiwal Kino Komeda Aleja Powstańców Wielkopolskich 22 Ostrów Wielkopolski, POLAND
March 8, 2014
Kurt Elling Quintet
Veľké koncertné stúdio Slovenského rozhlasu
Mýtna
811 07 Staré Mesto-Bratislava, SLOVAKIA
March 19, 2014
Kurt Elling Quintet
The Broad Stage
Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center
1310 11th St
Santa Monica, CAMarch 20, 2014 Kurt Elling Quintet Edmonds Center for the Arts 410 Fourth Ave N Edmonds, WAMarch 21, 2014 Kurt Elling Quintet EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts
205 8th Ave SE Calgary, AB T2G 0K9 CANADA March 22-23, 2014 FOUR SHOWS - TWO EACH NIGHT Kurt Elling Quintet Yoshi's San Francisco 1300 Fillmore St San Francisco, CA
All of Kurt's upcoming gigs in 2014 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 is on the road about 180 nights a year. He only performs where he's been invited (by people who write checks!) and he doesn't get to set his 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 booking agency, IMN (International Music Network). Thank you! |
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Your Moment of Elling . . .
Jazz is the ultimate syncretic art form. It is informed, improvisational work
that is interactive,
that is not slipshod,
that has to have a sense of architectural integrity.
And for that to happen you have to be,
as much as you can be,
a master of your instrument.
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