Kurt Elling and his Quartet Visit the Dakota Jazz Club

Monday October 22, 2012

From Jazz Police

Kurt Elling Brings Broadway to the Dakota, October 23rd
By: Andrea Canter

“There are versions of Sam Cooke’s ‘You Send Me’, Carole King’s ‘So Far Away’ and Paul Simon’s ‘An American Tune’ that will go down as some of the finest ballad interpretations this awesomely equipped vocalist has ever recorded.” – John Fordham, The Guardian

Kurt Elling, arguably the greatest jazz singer of his generation, has appeared in the Twin Cities on a number of occasions in the past six-plus years, and his return visits are always eagerly anticipated. His use of scat and vocalese, his original lyrics for such masterpieces as Coltrane’s “Revelation,” and his interpretations of such great instrumental works as Dexter Gordon’s sax solo on “Body and Soul” have put him at the creative apogee of modern jazz artists. Through 2012, his full output of nine albums have earned an unprecedented nine Grammy nominations, including 2009’s Grammy-winning Dedicated to You. He’s topped the Downbeat Poll for Best Male Vocalist for each of the past 13 years, and he’s won a long list of others and awards. Now touring in support of his latest Concord release, 1619 Broadway: The Brill Building Project, our eager anticipation will be rewarded when Kurt Elling and his quartet visit the Dakota Jazz Club, October 23rd.

Kurt Elling’s father was a church musician, and playing instruments and singing was just a natural part of growing up. But it wasn’t until college at Gustavous Adolphous in St. Peter, Minnesota that he was initially turned on to jazz, hearing records of Herbie Hancock, Dexter Gordon, Dave Brubeck and more in his dorm. He performed during his college days, attracting audiences with his scatting which at that time was not very familiar to midwest, small town audiences. Initially headed to graduate studies in divinity, ultimately Elling made the final turn to a career in jazz.

To read more click here

On Broadway	1:30	Kurt Elling
You Send Me	1:30	Kurt Elling
American Tune	1:30	Kurt Elling

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1619 Broadway - The Brill Building Project (EPK)

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