Kurt Elling, SuperBlue and Endless Lawns
Kurt Elling.
Voice extraordinaire. Born 1967 in Chicago (3 years my senior), raised in Rockford, Illinois. He discovered the wonders of jazz while attending Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. He developed his vocal chops back in Chicago while attending the University of Chicago Divinity School. Then he signed to Blue Note Records in the mid-90’s. Long story short, this man has been releasing records showcasing his vocal jazz since the 90’s.
The kicker? I had never heard or seen his name uttered through all these years. Not, that is, until watching the GRAMMY pre-awards broadcast on February 4th, when the award for Best Alternative Jazz Album was given out. It was Meshell Ndegeocello who won the award (for The Omnichord Real Book, which I still need to listen to); but among the nominees was 7-string guitarist Charlie Hunter, who I’ve listened to and followed on and off for years – so it caught my eye. The nomination was for SuperBlue: The Iridescent Spree, by SuperBlue, featuring Charlie Hunter and Kurt Elling. “Hmm, interesting,” I thought, and dialed it up on Apple Music on my way to pick up some dinner. Super interesting sounds, and a really unique singer. Who was this guy? A song about the #9? A beauty of a tune called “Little Fairy Carpenter,” the funky explosion that is “Bounce It.”
I was impressed and wanted to explore more about this group. To YouTube I went, and the very first thing I stumbled upon was a SuperBlue performance at Bimhuis, a jazz concert hall in Amsterdam. It was live streamed in November 2023, and I’m telling you, if you haven’t experienced the instrument-like voice of Kurt Elling, you can do no better than starting with this SuperBlue performance with Kurt, Charlie, Julius Rodriguez on keys, and Marcus Finnie on drums.
Now I need to tell you why I start the below show at 49:00. By all means, zip back to the beginning and watch it all. But first, immerse yourself in the splendor that is “Endless Lawns” – a beautiful, soul-filling journey where Kurt shows off every facet of his remarkable vocal control and range. I can’t get enough!! I listen to it almost daily, and it’s such a part of me at this point that it’s hard to believe I first heard it just a matter of weeks ago in early February.
The music itself was written as the instrumental “Lawns” by the late jazz composer and artist Carla Bley in 1987 (an artist who I also was shamefully not familiar with). Kurt took the song and composed some seriously deep, cosmic lyrics that evoke the wonders of the cosmos and its connection to us and to love. It first appeared on his 2018 album The Questions, with trumpet player Marquis Hill adding some soothing solos. Then it was redone for the 2020 SuperBlue album. Personally, I listen to The Questions version more often, but both are fantastic.
It goes without saying that I cannot wait to see Kurt live somewhere, some time. I will make it happen.
Dig into this “Endless Lawns” performance, all the way through now, start to finish. Do not miss the ending, which will make your mouth drop.
Thank you Kurt, and my bad for missing out on you all these years.