Kurt Elling
Voice
56 age
November 2, 1967 Birthday
Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Birthplace
kurtelling.com Website
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About
Kurt Elling, a globally acclaimed jazz vocalist, has garnered numerous Grammy awards and topped critics' and audience polls. Renowned for his warm baritone tone and impressive 4-octave range, Elling's career started in Chicago with the release of his Grammy-nominated album in 1995. He is celebrated for his mastery of vocalese, skillfully weaving words over recorded improvised jazz solos. With over a dozen albums as a leader, Elling's has delved into various genres including funk, pop, rock, and soul, expanding the boundaries of classic jazz. He has collaborated with jazz artists such as Charlie Hunter, Branford Marsalis, Laurence Hobgood, and Bob Mintzer and continues to captivate audiences around the world.
Trivia
Kurt Elling perfomed at President Barack Obama's first state dinner. Kurt Elling became a National Trustee for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1999 and served for 6 years, including 2 terms as the Vice Chairman. Kurt Elling has incorporated the writings of Rilke, Robert Bly, Toni Morrison, and others into his music.
Early Life
Kurt Elling was born in 1967 and grew up in Rockford, Illinois. His father was the kapellmeister at a Luthern Church and he was immersed in music from an early age. Elling sang in choirs and played multiple instruments including the piano, violin and french horn. He went on to study history and religion at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota where he also sang in the choir and developed an interest in jazz music. Following college, he enrolled in the University of Chicago Divinity School where he studied religion during the day and began singing in Chicago jazz clubs in the evenings. Eventually Elling decided to pursue music full time, leaving divinity school just one credit short of a degree in 1992. He spent several years in Chicago developing his style before submitting a demo to Blue Note records in 1995. He was promptly signed to the label and released his Grammy nominated debut album "Close to You" soon after
Kurt Elling Solos
2014
Voice solo - Billie's Bounce - 2014
4/4 swing in F major at 184 BPM