There are no obvious parallels in the music industry. Chicago native Kurt Elling is the greatest male jazz singer – or just jazz singer – of our time. In a career spanning 23 years, Elling has risen to international prominence as a jazz artist and creative singer. An intellectual superman, he is a master of “vocalese” and scatting, having been influenced by singer Mark Murphy, trumpeter Chet Baker, and poet Jack Kerouac. Remarkably, each of his nine of his albums was nominated for a Grammy ® Award and Dedicated to You won in 2010. He is a perennial critics poll-winner and his quintet tours the world, performing to critical acclaim in Europe, Asia, Canada, Israel, and Australia. This will be Mr. Elling’s sixth performance for South Florida JAZZ dating back to 1996. His last appearance in South Florida was a collaboration with saxophonist Branford Marsalis with whom he was awarded another Grammy for Upward Spiral. In addition, Kurt, bright, inquisitive and eloquent, is an especially gifted writer, both of lyrics and prose.

ARTISTIC PERSONNEL

• Kurt Elling – vocals
• Stu Mindeman – piano and organ
• John McLean – guitar
• Clark Sommers – double bass
• Kendrick Scott – drums