Jazz Articles about Kurt Elling

About Kurt Elling

Album Review

Clarence Penn: Behind the Voice

Read "Behind the Voice" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
July 5, 2024

Drummer Clarence Penn, a serious force on the scene for more than three decades, has worked with a who's who of vocalists--Betty Carter, Kandace Springs, Luciana Souza, Kate McGarry, Nellie McKay, Claudia Acuña, Paula Cole, Melissa Walker and Nneena Freelon, to name just a few. He knows more than a thing or two about history and creativity behind the voice, and he's here to show it with this sharply-constructed date. Working with a stacked lineup of singers and instrumentalists, and ...

Live Review

Kurt Elling and the National Jazz Orchestra at the MNT Theatre

by Nenad Georgievski
June 5, 2024

Kurt Elling & National Jazz Orchestra MNT Theatre Skopje, Macedonia May 15, 2024 Kurt Elling and the National Jazz Orchestra graced the stage of the MNT Theatre in Skopje, Macedonia, delivering an extraordinary performance. This marked their second collaboration after their unforgettable encounter at Lisinski Hall in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2021, where they left audiences awe-inspired. However, the intimacy of the venue in Skopje added a new layer of intensity to the performance.

Live Review

Kurt Elling & Danilo Pérez at Jazz, TX

by Katchie Cartwright
May 29, 2024

Kurt Elling & Danilo Pérez Jazz, TX San Antonio, Texas May 9, 2024 Kurt Elling's presence has a density that generates its own gravitational pull. He plants himself solidly in the moment onstage and draws the audience in. Danilo Pérez is similarly brilliant and focused. He shares Elling's dedication to the impromptu and both are ardent storytellers. They complement one another in a duo setting, each bringing an array of abilities and sensibilities. That evening, ...

Live Review

Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter at the Boulder Theater

by Geoff Anderson
October 18, 2023

Kurt Elling Charlie Hunter Superblue Boulder Theater Boulder, Colorado October 8, 2023 Both Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter have been at the leading edge of jazz and jazz-adjacent music for about 30 years now. They've consistently shown unrelenting creativity, searching for new sounds and innovative concepts. They've collaborated off and on for over 20 years. An early notable joint effort appeared on two tracks on Hunter's Songs From the Analog Playground (Blue Note, 2001). But ...

Live Review

Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter at Boulder Theater

by Steven Roby
October 13, 2023

Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter Boulder Theater Boulder, CO October 8, 2023 Supporting their latest collaboration album, SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree (Edition Records, 2023), jazz icon Kurt Elling and guitar maestro Charlie Hunter offered a high-energy performance on October 8th at the Boulder Theater. The incredible duo's band featured Julius Rodriguez on keyboards and Marcus Finnie on drums. Elling and company delivered a crowd-pleasing 90-minute set filled with funky originals, innovative covers, and a few ...

Profile

The Continuing Evolution of Kurt Elling

by Mathew Bahl
August 23, 2023

"I feel like at this point in my career I don't have to prove that I can do fifteen different things to greater or lesser degrees of expertise." Kurt Elling is discussing the genesis of his latest record, Flirting With Twilight. “I've made these roller coaster rides every time," says the Chicago-based jazz singer referring to his four Grammy-nominated CDs on the Blue Note label. “Even on This Time, It's Love there were still these elements of the ...

Album Review

Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter: SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree

Read "SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree" reviewed by Chris May

by Chris May
June 14, 2023

As Shakespeare said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter follow up their Grammy-nominated 2021 album, SuperBlue (Edition), with another sublime blend of jazz and groove. As on the first disc, jazz is represented by Elling, groove by Butcher Brown keyboardist DJ Harrison and drummer Corey Fonville. Hunter, who has had a foot in both camps for over two decades, acts as marriage broker. Some jazz fans have an aversion to singers, ...