Kurt Elling News

String quartet ETHEL, known for its enlivened playing and consistently groundbreaking redefinition of concert music, announces their landmark 20th anniversary season. Described as “an adventurous quartet with a rock band's zest” by The New York Times and deemed “a genre unto itself” by the Village Voice, ETHEL continues to set the standard for contemporary concert music. Celebrations begin with a June 20th benefit gala hosted by New Sound's John Schaefer, honoring ETHEL as well as fellow new music champions: Bang on a Can founders Michael Gordon, David Lang, and Julia Wolfe. ETHEL's 2018-19 season offers the New York premiere of Circus: Wandering City at the 2018 BAM Next Wave Festival, along with continued touring of the group's signature works: The River and Documerica. (Please scroll below for more details and complete 2018-19 schedule of events.)

String quartet ETHEL, known for its enlivened playing and consistently groundbreaking redefinition of concert music, announces their landmark 20th anniversary season. Described as "an adventurous quartet with a rock band's zest" by The New York Times and deemed "a genre unto itself" by the Village Voice, ETHEL continues to set the standard for contemporary concert music. Celebrations begin with a June 20th benefit gala hosted by New Sound's John Schaefer, honoring ETHEL as well as fellow new music champions: Bang on a Can founders Michael Gordon, David Lang, and Julia Wolfe. ETHEL's 2018-19 season offers the New York premiere of Circus: Wandering City at the 2018 BAM Next Wave Festival, along with continued touring of the group's signature works: The River and Documerica. (Please scroll below for more details and complete 2018-19 schedule of events.)

Segerstrom Center for the Arts has announced its annual Jazz, Cabaret and Chamber Music series for the 2018-2019 Season. It's another musically absorbing year of great and most gifted artists whose works and performances will canvas a vast range of styles and traditions.

New York Youth Symphony (NYYS), is proud to continue its mission of providing an outstanding music education and performance opportunities to students between the ages of 12-22 by launching a new Musical Theater Composition program aimed at diversifying the world of musical theater. The new director and performance information is expected to be announced in summer 2018. Also new in 2018/19 the NYYS Orchestra and Chamber Music Programs will tour together for the first time ever to Spain in 2019, where they will explore cities including Madrid, Granada, and Seville.

Jack Kleinsinger's Highlights In Jazz closes its 46thseason with a tribute to lauded jazz guitarist Russell Malone. A mainstay on the Manhattan music scene since the 1980s, as well as a regular at international festivals and concert halls, Russell has attracted critical and fan recognition for his work as an accomplished leader and in-demand sideman. 

International Jazz Day 2018 came to a phenomenal close this evening in St. Petersburg, following an extraordinary All-Star Global Concert at the historic Mariinsky Theatre that capped off several days of educational outreach programs across the city. The concert, led by artistic co-directors Herbie Hancock (USA) and Igor Butman (Russia), was streamed live by the United Nations and UNESCO and on www.jazzday.com. It featured performances by an international roster of artists including Oleg Akkuratov (Russia), Till Brnner (Germany), Oleg Butman (Russia), Terri Lyne Carrington (USA), Joey DeFrancesco (USA), Fatoumata Diawara (Mali), Vadim Eilenkrig (Russia), Kurt Elling (USA),Antonio Fara (Italy), James Genus (USA), Robert Glasper (USA), David Goloschekin (Russia), Hassan Hakmoun (Morocco),Gilad Hekselman (Israel), Horacio Hernandez (Cuba), Taku Hirano (Japan), Anatoly Kroll (Russia), Gaoyang Li (China), Rudresh Mahanthappa (USA), The Manhattan Transfer (USA), Branford Marsalis (USA), James Morrison (Australia), Moscow Jazz Orchestra (Russia), Makoto Ozone (Japan), Danilo Prez (Panama), Dianne Reeves (USA), Lee Ritenour (USA), Luciana Souza (Brazil) and Ben Williams (USA). John Beasley (USA) served as musical director.

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is pleased to announce the 40th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival will be hosted from August 24–September 2 in Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.) and at venues throughout the city. Among many featured headline guests, on September 1 Chicago native Ramsey Lewis will perform his last live performance in Chicago before his retirement. For the complete lineup of performers in Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center, visit chicagojazzfestival.us.

There is an online substitute for just about everything these days, but there is no substitute for the unique magic of a live performance. Regular concertgoers and first-time attendees alike can experience the thrill of being up close and personal with world-renowned artists at a Cooperstown Summer Music Festival concert.

The Grammy-nominated Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, which captures the infectious fun of big band music, will perform at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) on Thursday, April 5 at 8:00pm.  Jazz Times called the Los Angeles-based band, with a 32-year history, "one of current jazz's most vital large ensemble." Co-founder bassist John Clayton is a CSUN alumnus who has gone on to play with superstars such as Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle and Madonna.

Birdland Jazz Club's schedule for March 12-March 18 includes the Donny Nova Band, Kurt Elling, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, and more!

Birdland Jazz Club announces March 2018 schedule featuring Steps Ahead Meets Soulbop, Cyrus Chestnut Quartet, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, Steve Smith 'Groove: Blue' Organ Trio, The Tristano Project, Laila Biali, Cynthia Sayer, Corcoran Holt, Anita Gillette, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!

In the Claudia Quintet, John Hollenbeck has united five formidable talents to create a truly original ensemble. Performing Hollenbeck's compositions, Claudia seamlessly weaves written material with improvised solos, scored for the unique instrumentation of vibraphone, accordion, bass, clarinet, and drums. The Claudia Quintet draws inspiration from many sources, including American minimalism, Argentine tango, and Senegalese percussion, combining these influences to make a thrilling tapestry of sound.

CYNTHIA SAYER, the internationally celebrated jazz banjoist and vocalist, will lead her Joyride Quartet in The Hot Jazz Banjo Show in a rare New York City concert appearance at the legendary jazz club Birdland on Thursday, March 15 at 6:00 PM. Birdland is located at 315 W. 44th Street in Manhattan. Tickets: $30.

See the lineup of fantastic shows coming to Joe's Pub for the 2018 Under the Radar Festival.

City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph Street, announces a night with award-winning rock star Tom Cochrane ('Life is a Highway'), two shows with groundbreaking R&B star Syleena Johnson, an evening with Billboard-chart toppers We Banjo 3 and more.

In January 2018, Joe's Pub at The Public presents its annual slate of showcases coinciding with APAP NYC 2018, January 12-16, the annual Association of Performing Artists Presenters conference drawing presenters from around the world.

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with an exciting series of acts

String Quartet ETHEL, known for their enlivened playing and consistently groundbreaking redefinition of concert music, announces their upcoming Winter/Spring 2018 season. Described as an adventurous quartet with a rock band's zest by the New York Times and deemed a genre unto itself by the Village Voice, ETHEL's new season offers the world premiere of Circus: Wandering Cityin Sarasota, Florida.

Steve Abrams and Kicky Productions announce that a brand new cabaret-concert, Lettin' the Good Times Roll featuring the dynamic duo, E. Faye Butler, Felicia P. Fields and a host of renowned musicians in a very special limited engagement for 9 performances at The Biograph Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its January 2018 lineup, featuring An Evening with Monty Alexander - From Kingston to Harlem, Vijay Iyer Sextet, John Pizzarelli, Vincent Herring's The Story of Jazz: 100 Years, David Murray Infinity Quartet, La Tanya Hall and The Andy Milne Trio, Fleurine, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!