I couldn't do what I do without the encouragement and influence of the musicians I played with in Chicago. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
Grammy nominations are certainly pleasant, but you can forget about them and lead a perfectly happy life - provided you have the… — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
I'd been studying philosophy at the University of Chicago. I hadn't been doing well, because I was sitting in with jazz musicians… — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
The musicians in Chicago gave me my vocation, but New York calls to a jazz musician, for sure. You want to test… — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
I'm thrilled when I hear the greatest jazz musicians. They continue to search in ways other musicians do not. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
I really thought I was gonna have a straight gig. But these jazz musicians put their arms around me time and again… — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
I was very lucky that more experienced musicians allowed me to caterwaul until I figured out what it was really about. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
Man, I just feel so fortunate to be a jazz musician at all. I have a hard time thinking of it any other way.… — Kurt Elling Copy Share
You can start from any source material, and you can approach it with a jazz ear, and then it will become a jazz moment. — Kurt Elling Copy Share
I don't really have a more intellectualized approach. After the fact, I can sure talk about stuff a lot - but when I make… — Kurt Elling Copy Share
I think my intention was there, and my love for the music was apparent. And there are very few singers who get up and… — Kurt Elling Copy Share
I've worked with a number of big bands, but there's nothing in life like the Basie band. — Kurt Elling Copy Share
A lot of the commercial world wants to bank in on the cachet that jazz brings. — Kurt Elling Copy Share
The great jazz and jazz-influenced singers carry themselves with a certain panache and a certain elegance and, for lack of a better word, self-confidence. — Kurt Elling Copy Share
You work very hard on the lyrics. Getting them to fit the contours of improvised melodies. — Kurt Elling Copy Share
A lot of people are put off by the idea of scat singing. Either that or it's something to be made fun of. — Kurt Elling Copy Share
You want to be doing your best work whatever field of the arts you're in because your life's going to be over all too… — Kurt Elling Copy Share
Sometimes, with vocalese, I'm dealing with something, a great solo from the past, which is so iconic I can't presume to change it or… — Kurt Elling Copy Share
I'm a guy who has more slapstick than Joe Cool moments in his day, so I'm not taking myself so seriously. — Kurt Elling Copy Share
