Kurt Elling News

In 2021 Jazz Aspen Snowmass will expand its mid-summer JAS Academy collaboration with the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami to include the new “Combo/Small Ensemble Sessions.”

ETHEL invites early-career music creators to submit their scores for Round V of ETHEL's HomeBaked commissioning initiative. This iteration of HomeBaked calls for works for flute and string quartet, as ETHEL will partner in collaboration with their longtime friend, flutist, composer, and producer Allison Loggins-Hull.

To celebrate the 10th annual National Chamber Music Month, Wisconsin's Grand Theater is proud to present the world premiere of ETHEL's Signature Sessions virtual concert. ETHEL recorded Signature Sessions during the pandemic, after being apart for six months.

As trending in the greater jazz community, creative women earned significant recognition: Composer-orchestra leader Maria Schneider, whose album Data Lords (ArtistShare) is Record of the Year, and drummer-producer educator Terri Lyne Carrington, Jazz Musician of the Year, won multiple awards. Women prevailed in several other instrumentalists' categories, too.

See all results of JJA members' 25th annual voting in 47 categories that honor writers, photographers, broadcasters, books, documentaries, podcasts and live-stream productions as well as musicians' achievements, at JAJazzAwards.org. 

The Ravinia Festival plans to reopen in July for the 2021 summer season. Now, the full lineup has been announced!

20-time Emmy Award-winning HMS Media, Chicago's premier video production company for the performing arts, is working on the cutting edge of new hybrid performing arts models emerging from the pandemic—which include frequent livestreamed and digital recordings to accompany live performances through 2021 and beyond, as performing arts organizations work to capitalize on the reach of their digital platforms and provide greater accessibility to audiences unable to visit in person.

The awards honored six musicals from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and the West End with nominations for Best Musical Theatre Album - 'Jagged Little Pill,' 'American Utopia,' 'Little Shop of Horrors,' 'The Prince of Egypt,' 'Soft Power,' and Amélie.'

This evening, the first ever virtual American Traditions Vocal Competition ended an incredible week celebrating and preserving all styles of classic American music with the final round featuring five phenomenal performers competing for the gold.  

The semifinalists each performed three songs out of the nine genres of American music: Opera, Musical Theatre, Hollywood, Jazz, Folk, Country, Pop/Rock Singer-Songwriters (1980-today), Art Song, Gospel, Songs of Johnny Mercer, Blues, Religious Music, Popular Music of 1950-1980, Great American Songbook, and Cabaret.

Last evening, the American Traditions Vocal Competition (ATC) announced the group of talented vocalists selected by judges Kate Baldwin, Lawrence Brownlee, and Kurt Elling to progress to the Semifinal round of this year's virtual competition. 

On February 13th at 9pm EST the Kurt Elling Quintet will present a special Valentine’s Day performance livestreamed from the Epiphany Center for the Arts in Chicago. Elling’s 2020 release, ‘Secrets are the Best Stories,’  has been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Jazz Vocal category and features renowned pianist and Grammy winner Danilo Pérez.

Notables from President Bill Clinton and Whoopi Goldberg to musicians Wynton Marsalis and Sting joined together on Sunday, Jan 24th to “Save Birdland”.  During the fundraising concert the Broadway community was treated to “All That Jazz” starring the original Velmas of Chicago, Chita Rivera and Bebe Neuwirth.

The fundraising campaign for Birdland Jazz Club will conclude on January 24th with a free streaming concert titled Save Birdland: A Celebration of Music, History and Community.

And the hits just keep on coming!

The fundraising campaign for Birdland Jazz Club will conclude on January 24th with a free streaming concert titled Save Birdland: A Celebration of Music, History and Community.

With 28 contestants in its 28th year, the American Traditions Vocal Competition (ATC) has pivoted to present the competition online for worldwide and local audiences to ensure safety for audiences and artists during this time of COVID-19.  Performances will broadcast online at 7 p.m. each evening throughout the competition, slated for Feb. 9-19.

Former President Bill Clinton, Tony Award-winner Leslie Odom, Jr., Tony-nominee Jeff Daniels, Clive Davis, Elvis Costello, and more have signed on for a concert fundraiser to save iconic New York venue Birdland.

Yet another one of New York’s most beloved venues is in danger of closing for good. Birdland Jazz Club, a staple of the New York City jazz community since 1949, needs help with the debt it has found itself in due to the health crisis.

Yet another one of New York’s most beloved venues is in danger of closing for good. Birdland Jazz Club, a staple of the New York City jazz community since 1949, needs help with the debt it has found itself in due to the health crisis.