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July 23, 2008
Kurt #1 in the DownBeat Critics Poll Again!
DownBeat's critics have spoken, and for the ninth year in a row, Kurt Elling is their choice for Male Vocalist of the Year! Kurt Elling -- 243 To vote yourself in this year's DownBeat Readers Poll, open to jazz lovers everywhere, just go to the DownBeat site and click the 73rd Readers Poll VOTE! button at the top left. Readers Poll voting closes August 24. 2008. Results will be announced later this year. Kurt's many DownBeat awards: * Critics Poll Winner: Male Vocalist of the Year -- 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 As always, congratulations, Kurt!!!
June 22, 2008
Kurt Sings Leonard Bernstein at "Jazz in July"
Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein Jazz in July opens this year with a program dedicated to the songs of Leonard Bernstein. Bernstein would have turned 90 this year, and this show is one of a number of tributes in New York honoring this charismatic musical force who personified the intersection of American popular song, classical music and jazz. Bernstein first achieved eminence as a classical composer and conductor, though he began writing popular songs while still in college. His repertoire of unforgettable songs - including classics from On the Town and West Side Story - are infused with a jazz sensibility and a quintessentially urban quality. Bill Charlap, who explored Bernstein's songs on his Grammy-nominated 2004 recording Somewhere, gathers an ensemble of leading jazz musicians to dig into this remarkable catalog, with guest vocalist Kurt Elling giving voice to the songs. Elling is an eight-time winner of Downbeat's Critic's Poll for Best Male Vocalist and a charismatic performer known for his four-octave range, virtuoso vocalese (setting lyrics to instrumental solos), and powerful stage persona. The band features Bill Charlap (piano), Ted Rosenthal (piano), Brian Lynch (trumpet), Jimmy Greene (tenor saxophone), Jon Gordon (alto saxophone), Peter Washington (bass) and Kenny Washington (drums).
June 12, 2008
Kurt to Perform at GRAMMY Foundation's Starry Night Gala Honoring Sir George Martin
Starry Night Knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1996, Sir George Martin is listed in the Guinness World Records as the most successful producer ever, with more than 50 No. 1 hit records over five decades in the United States and Great Britain alone. The recordings he has produced have collectively sold more than 1 billion units worldwide. His award-winning work across every conceivable recording genre and style is unmatched. It includes classical, comedy, jazz, pop, country, R&B, rock and roll, film scores, television scores and more, producing the longest run of No. 1 hits songs in history — more than 36 years. As mentor and creative collaborator, Martin helped steward and bring to the world the Beatles — one of the most original, successful, and influential music phenomena in popular music history. Best known as the Beatles' producer, he signed them and subsequently produced and arranged nearly all the Beatles' records, even playing on many of the most memorable John Lennon/Paul McCartney songs. This GRAMMY Foundation Starry Night benefit will feature performances by Grammy nominees and winners, including A Fine Frenzy aka Alison Sudol, America, Burt Bacharach, Jeff Beck, Chris Botti, Natalie Cole, Kurt Elling, Dave Grusin, Tom Jones, Michael McDonald, Naomi Sommers, and Jimmy Webb. In addition, members of the Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles will perform. The high school students selected from across the United States attending the fourth annual GRAMMY Camp — held this year from July 12–26 at USC — will also be in attendance. The distinguished group of dinner chairs for this event include Olivia Harrison, Sir Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono and Ringo Starr. This intimate dinner and concert will benefit the GRAMMY Foundation, which provides programs that foster future generations of music professionals and helps preserve our nation's musical heritage.
June 4, 2008
2008-9 Special Project: "Dedicated to You"
John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman, recorded in 1963, became an instant classic, the gold standard of jazz ballad albums. Now Kurt boldly revisits and reinterprets songs from Coltrane and Hartman, the saxophonist's sole collaboration with a vocalist and one of the most romantic albums ever recorded. Ernie Watts -- whose resumé runs the gamut from Monk to Zappa -- blows stunning solos in Trane's stead while Elling breathes new life into Hartman's sensual songbook. The Laurence Hobgood Trio and the postclassical string quartet Ethel provide lush new settings of this classic material. The original is indelible; the homage is inspired. Friday, September 12, 2008 Sunday, September 21, 2008 Friday, January 23, 2009 Saturday, January 24, 2009 Saturday, February 28, 2009 Thursday, April 16, 2009
May 15, 2008
Laurence Hobgood on NPR's Piano Jazz May 23!
The legendary Marian McPartland hosts Laurence Hobgood on NPR's Piano Jazz, beginning May 23. Imagine these two keyboard giants playing together! Check local listings -- stations have two weeks to air the broadcast. After that, it will be available for your listening pleasure in the Piano Jazz past stories. Kurt's long-time musical director, arranger, gifted pianist, and exceptional soloist and trio leader, Laurence performs his own tune, "The Smuggler," and joins McPartland on "Things Ain't What They Used to Be." Laurence says, "It was both charming and an honor to do the show with Marian. She's a fun, graceful host with a famous sense of humor, and I enjoyed it immensely." Laurence and Kurt have worked closely for 15 years. He co-produced and plays on all seven of Kurt's Grammy-nominated albums. In addition, Laurence has recorded one solo album, "Left to My Own Devices," and three trio albums, "Union," "State of the Union," and "Crazy World." He's particularly excited about his next one, "When the Heart Dances," duets with Charlie Haden and special guest Kurt Elling. Recorded in True Stereo, "When the Heart Dances" will be released in the fall. All Laurence's albums are on the Naim label. Laurence tells us, "Charlie sounds amazing. It was such an honor to play with him, especially in so intimate a setting. We recorded at Cal Arts, where he founded the jazz program, in their excellent recital hall. The Steinway D was one of the truly special, singing instruments I've had the opportunity to play." Tune in to Piano Jazz beginning May 23. And read more about Laurence here.
April 25, 2008
KEQ with Symphony in Australia
Kurt Elling and the Laurence Hobgood Trio opened new musical vistas during their recent Australian tour, playing two wonderful nights with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in the iconic Sydney Opera House. The lush, swinging orchestral arrangements prompted one reviewer to call the evening "Ellingant!" Their April 17 performance is in the archives here. On this trip, the KEQ also appeared with the Adelaide Symphony and then headlined the Melbourne Jazz Festival. In March, their SE Asia tour included Indonesia's Java Jazz Festival and performances in Singapore and the Philipines. The New York Times says Kurt Elling is 'the standout male jazz vocalist of our times." His smooth four-octave baritone, searching intelligence and magnetic stage presence have earned him seven Grammy nominations, and he's topped jazz bible Downbeat Magazine's critics' poll for male vocalist seven years running. The only thing to match his astonishing vocal range is his emotional range: from quietly crooned love songs to high-spirited virtuoso displays, there's nothing he can't do and no subject he won't tackle. For Elling, it's about communication. He says, "I want people to be surprised, to be moved, to laugh, to remember something important they may have forgotten. I want them to have what they need."
January 9, 2008
Kurt Inspires at IAJE
The 35th annual International Association of Jazz Educators conference in Toronto focused on "New Visions for New Times." In addition to his stellar performance with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Kurt presented the keynote address, telling stories about his own life and touching on the state of jazz -- present and future. He inspired assembled jazz educators to be exceptional role models as people and musicians and to draw forth their students' unique gifts and imaginations. "No one is saying that your job is to create geniuses — that is an impossible task. But it is your calling at least to give a deep experience of humanity and music to students, and to seed the clouds. "Young people desire and deserve a noble calling in life. Jazz mirrors and reminds us of the fact that we are ALIVE! I advise you set the glorious and elaborate table of artistic endeavor. Working artists like me can do our work, provide what artistic inspiration we can, and do our best to give when we have the opportunity. But you are the on-site leaders of the next generation. "After all, what we really need — what we really seek as people — is a revolution of consciousness. It is what great music fosters best. It is the only music worth striving for. There is inspiration and rebuke in art at this level. Who hasn’t listened to Keith, Brecker or Dave Liebman or the VSOP Quintet and not felt at the same time thrilled and a little ashamed? We feel inspiration because it is always uplifting to hear open hearts that are married to virtuosic techniques. We feel rebuke in the open question, 'And why have you not yet measured up to you own potential, dear listener?'" Enjoy the full text here. |
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