Jazz Articles about Kurt Elling

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A set of tracks from 10 new big band albums released so far in 2026, including Kurt Elling, John Beasley and 8 others

by George Graham
May 26, 2026

George Graham presents a cross-section of tracks from 10 new Big Band albums released so far during 2026. Playlist Javier Nero “The Fourth Dimension" from Alkebulan (Outside In) 7:28 Ben Markley Big Band “Off Minor" from Tuesday Morning Feeling (OA2) 6:32 Stephen Philip Harvey Jazz Orchestra “Ain't No Sidekick" from Multiversal (Self Released) 5:41 Paul Keller Jazz Orchestra “Jer's Latin Tune" from Thank You Notes (Cold Plunge) 5:57 Dan West Big Band “Besmirched, Befuddled and Verklempt" from Presenting ...

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Kenny Barron: Songbook

by Angelo Leonardi
February 10, 2026

82 anni, magistrale protagonista del pianismo moderno, Kenny Barron raccoglie suoi vecchi e nuovi brani per affidarli all'interpretazione di cantanti. I testi sono della sua vecchia amica Janice Jarrett (eccetto “Minor Blues Redux" scritto da Catherine Russell & Paul Kahn) e gli interpreti vocali vedono nomi ben noti come Cécile McLorin Salvant, Kurt Elling, Catherine Russell e Ann Hampton Callaway accanto agli emergenti Kavita Shah, Ekep Nkwelle e Tyreek McDole. Barron si ritaglia il ruolo di sensibile accompagnatore, intervenendo con ...

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Harold Mabern: Afro Blue (10th Anniversary Edition)

by Bridget A. Arnwine
January 28, 2026

Pianist Harold Mabern (1936-2019) was talented beyond measure. Though he never received the honor and distinction of the prestigious NEA Jazz Master designation, his music and the musicians who knew him tell a different story. That story unfolds beautifully throughout the 10th anniversary reissue of Mabern's 2015 recording, Afro Blue (Smoke Session Records). The newly remixed and remastered recording features performances from some of the most celebrated names in vocal jazz, including Gregory Porter, Norah Jones, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit, ...

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Kurt Elling: Manifesting the Music

by Leo Sidran
January 12, 2026

Kurt Elling first appeared on The Third Story podcast in 2016--nearly ten years ago now. In some ways, it feels like a lifetime ago. Back then, he had moved from his native Chicago to New York and was living in Manhattan. The first Trump presidency, the pandemic, and the cascade of upheaval that would follow were not yet realities. Even then, Elling was already one of the most celebrated singers alive. This is what I wrote about him ...

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Christmas Jazz featuring Kurt Elling at Arena COS Torwar

by Marek J. Śmietański
December 15, 2025

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Kenny Barron: Songbook

by Pierre Giroux
November 26, 2025

Kenny Barron's offering Songbook is a deeply personal milestone in the pianist's career. Long regarded as one of the most lyrical voices in modern jazz, Barron fulfills a long-held dream by revisiting thirteen of his original compositions, now reimagined with words by lyricist Janice Jarrett and performed by a talented cast of vocalists spanning different generations. Joined by his longtime trio with bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and drummer Johnathan Blake, Barron creates an album that effortlessly blends instrumental mastery with vocal ...

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Kurt Elling With Christian Sands at Miner Auditorium

by Steven Roby
October 8, 2025

Kurt Elling With Christian Sands Miner Auditorium (SFJAZZ Center) San Francisco, California October 04, 2025 A spare duo becomes an engine--voice and piano reworking Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, theater, and rock into a present-tense argument for hope, empathy and the living tradition of jazz. They walked on together, and before Christian Sands reached the bench, Kurt Elling was already sketching possibilities in the air--quick scat shapes, a conspirator's grin, one hand on the ...