Kurt Elling
Birdland315 West 44th Street, New York 10036
Kurt Elling brings a vocal-jazz set to Birdland on January 13. The billing names Elling alone, with no backing musicians or guests announced, so the personnel and exact program remain unconfirmed. Expect the focus to be on the Chicago-based singer's distinctive approach to jazz vocals: contemporary Beat lyricism and vocalese, the practice of setting words to existing improvised jazz solos. It is a focused evening with one of the field's most celebrated vocal stylists.
A two-time Grammy winner, Elling has spent more than 25 years touring and recording, earning 17 Grammy nominations and leading the DownBeat Critics and Readers polls for two decades. His collaborators include Branford Marsalis, Danilo Pérez, Fred Hersch, Charlie Hunter and the Yellowjackets; he has also appeared as a featured soloist with ensembles including the New York Philharmonic, WDR Big Band and the Count Basie Orchestra. The New York Times called him “the standout male jazz vocalist of our time,” while The Guardian heard “a kind of Sinatra with superpowers.” His work is noted for its rich sound, four-octave baritone, expressive delivery and inventive vocalese writing.
Birdland offers a refined jazz experience in a room where the audience sits at tables close to the stage, allowing every note to reach you clearly. The venue features a full menu with dishes like New Orleans-style gumbo alongside a well-stocked bar, making it easy to enjoy a meal or drinks while listening. Each show is ticketed per set, encouraging focused listening as the music unfolds in roughly 45-minute segments. The club’s walls echo decades of jazz history, having hosted legends and continuing to attract top contemporary artists. Located in Manhattan’s Theater District, the space balances a serious music environment with the energy of a night out, where attentive audiences savor the performances without distraction. Booking ahead is essential, as the club fills quickly for its celebrated lineup.