Six Things You Didn’t Know About Kurt Elling
Those who know Kurt Elling will tell you he is like Frank Sinatra with superpowers—his ability to combine a keen melodic sense with bombastic vocals makes him one of a kind in the music world. Referred to as “the standout male jazz vocalist of our time” by The New York Times, double GRAMMY Award-winning Kurt Elling may be one of the world’s most prominent jazz vocalists, but did you know he almost didn’t pursue a career in music? Read on to learn more about Elling’s career twists and turns and what made him the musician he is today.
1. Kurt Elling has a four-octave vocal range
Kurt Elling’s commitment to his craft is most evident in his impressive vocal range. While most professional singers possess a two- or three-octave vocal range, Elling’s voice spans a full four octaves, allowing him to easily hit those staccato high and low notes that make his sound so recognizable. He is not alone in the four-octave club and shares this distinction with such notable musicians as Prince, Marvin Gaye, and Beyoncé.
2. His first calling was theology
Elling comes from a family that boasts several members of the clergy. In fact, his father led the church choir. Given this background, it should come as no surprise that the young Kurt Elling chose to study religion in college and that he originally planned to become a professor of religion. He got as far as nearly finishing divinity school before his love of music put his academic career on ice.
3. Elling improvises in “vocalese”
Elling is especially well-known for his mastery of “vocalese”—a scat-like vocal technique in which singers compose vocal solos, much like instrumentalists do. Influenced by jazz vocalists Mark Murphy and Jon Hendricks, Elling began incorporating the techniques of Beat poetry into this music, especially the bop-influenced prose of Jack Kerouac, eventually landing on the signature style you hear today.
Kurt Elling performs with Charlie Hunter as part of the Arts Commons Presents TD Jazz series on June 23, 2022.
4. He Bought His Apartment from Barack Obama
In 2005, Kurt Elling purchased an apartment on Chicago’s South Side from former U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The first couple even gifted the singer with a housewarming plant to warm-up the new digs. Although Elling currently rents the unit out, it is rumoured he still has the plant and it’s doing fine.
5. He cut his chops in the nightclubs of Chicago
Elling spent much of his early music career gigging at Chicago clubs such as Milt Trenier’s, an underground cabaret in the heart of the city, and the legendary Green Mill, whose stage has been home to some of the top names in Jazz, including Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, and Patricia Barber. Elling’s intuitive sense of rhythm and expressive vocal range quickly caught the attention of local notables such as Lester “the Prez” Young and George Bean, who encouraged the young singer to pursue a career in music. The rest is jazz history.
6. SuperBlue is a New Approach for Elling
Elling’s latest album “SuperBlue” features a new style for the jazz maestro, one which sees him working with guitarist Charlie Hunter to capture a fresh, funky sound. This collaboration is seen as more strident, a bit dance-y, and more “electric and groove oriented" than Elling’s traditional approach to jazz.
Join Arts Commons Presents and the TD Jazz series on June 23, 2022 for SuperBlue: Kurt Elling featuring Charlie Hunter.
