Kurt Elling f. Ernie Watts

First there were all those “best vocalist” citations from Down Beat and Jazz Times (nine so far!), and then a few Grammy-nominated albums. Never content to just rest on his many laurels, Kurt Elling has continued to challenge that remarkable four-octave baritone with his diverse approach to jazz singing, which incorporates scat, vocalese, poetry and even the improvising of lyrics during his performances. Always magically “in the moment,” Elling is going back to the classic age for this unique project… “Dedicated to You. Kurt Elling Sings Coltrane/Hartman” which celebrates the extraordinary ballads of jazz’s most suave singer, Johnny Hartman, made in collaboration with John Coltrane. Elling’s co-creator for this daring performance is veteran tenor saxophonist Ernie Watts, probably most famous for his long stint with Charlie Haden’s Quartet West. Together with Laurence Hobgood piano and Ulysses Owens drums, these artists will bring masterworks like “Lush Life” fully to life. It has been five years since we have had the great pleasure of bringing Elling to JazzFest, so don’t miss his return! “The greatest m... more...