Kurt Elling 'Dedicated to You' Elling sings: Coltrane/Hartman featuring Ernie Watts & Laurence Hobgood

Jul 09-Jul 12, 2009

featuring Ernie Watts & the Laurence Hobgood Trio

Thursday - Saturday 8pm & 10pm shows $25

Sunday 2pm Kids Matinee:
$5 kids, $18 adult with kid, $25 adult general

Sunday 7pm show $25

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Click here to hear Kurt Elling - Song of the Day on NPR: July 7, 2009

Critically acclaimed, Kurt Elling is the preeminent young male jazz singer today. One of Elling's major contributions is as a writer and performer of vocalese, the art of putting words to improvised solos of jazz artists. The natural heir to jazz pioneers Eddie Jefferson, King Pleasure, and Jon Hendricks, Elling is the contemporary voice in vocalese, setting the solos of Wayne Shorter, Keith Jarrett, Dexter Gordon, Pat Metheny, and others to his own deeply spiritual and compelling lyrics, an approach that reminds us of the beauty of the original music and opens us up to a fresh vision.  Kurt Elling brings Ernie Watts and the Laurence Hobgood Trio aboard for “Dedicated To You,” Elling’s creative re-imagining  of John Coltrane's  collaboration with “romantic balladeer” Johnny Hartman. Hartman was the only singer ever to record with Coltrane and their 1963 album of ballads is considered a masterpiece, a perfect synergy of  ‘Trane’s passionate tenor saxophone  and Hartman’s sensual baritone vocals. Saxophone legend Ernie Watts is arguably the most versatile saxophonist on the scene today, having played on over 500 albums by everyone from Zappa to Thelonious Monk, delivers his own rich Tenor sound filled with soul and warmth. Elling and Hobgood taking a cue from Coltrane’s ingenuity, create new storytelling and harmonies, adding lush layers and atmospheres to what has been roundly dubbed “one of the most romantic albums ever recorded.”