Chicago is my home. And the way Chicago sounds will always be a part of who I am. — Kurt Elling Chicago Copy Share Image
While I revel in the memories of my own Grammy moment, I also know how it feels to walk away empty-handed. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
The audience should feel they are hearing the future, that is arriving just on time. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
I've worked with a number of big bands, but there's nothing in life like the Basie band. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
I try to sleep as much as I can. I drink a lot of water. I practice consistently and just try to… — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
If I was going to sell out, I would do it for more than 10,000 records. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
That's the thing: There are so many art songs in jazz. It's a much more rich experience for the singer than people… — Kurt Elling Art Copy Share Image
I couldn't do what I do without the encouragement and influence of the musicians I played with in Chicago. — Kurt Elling Encouragement Copy Share Image
I consider myself very fortunate. I have a beautiful wife who supports my work and is raising our daughter when I'm out… — Kurt Elling Beautiful Copy Share Image
I don't really have a more intellectualized approach. After the fact, I can sure talk about stuff a lot - but when… — Kurt Elling Approach Copy Share Image
You want to be doing your best work whatever field of the arts you're in because your life's going to be over… — Kurt Elling Art Copy Share Image
You don't just let a guy drop off the earth and not come together with everybody who knew him and loved him… — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
You learn as much as you can from the people that you work with. That's why you want to surround yourself with… — Kurt Elling Education Copy Share Image
I'm one of the culprits who keeps turning stuff around, shaking up original tunes and trying to stand the canon on its… — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
I think my intention was there, and my love for the music was apparent. And there are very few singers who get… — Kurt Elling Desire Copy Share Image
I've got enough miles under my belt to know that whatever you envision in your mind, even if it comes true, will… — 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
My strength is to communicate with an audience and to know what jazz singing is capable of. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
It's true that I'm not known as a crooner or balladeer. I'm known for a more crusading or quixotic temperament. — Kurt Elling Fame Copy Share Image
I think of jazz as being homage through innovation. Don't quote that as a definition, but it comes pretty close. — Kurt Elling Being 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
You don't want to make records so you can win a Grammy. You make records because you want to be a musician. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
People want to have access to jazz because it has a vibe that's very strong. — Kurt Elling Access Copy Share Image
Sometimes people have this notion that improvisation is simply intuitive leaping into the unknown. — Kurt Elling Improvisation Copy Share Image
My intellect was quickened at divinity school, and my abilities to discern were strengthened, and that's always valuable. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
Each of the CDs prior to 'Flirting With Twilight' were more like roller-coaster rides. — Kurt Elling Cds Copy Share Image
I'm lucky that I enjoy touring as much as I do. I'm not going to make a living just making records. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
At a certain point, the graduate school thing didn't work out, and that meant I was liberated. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
You can start from any source material, and you can approach it with a jazz ear, and then it will become a… — Kurt Elling Jazz Copy Share Image
It's a lovely thing to have people in any circumstance appreciate your work. — 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 Career Copy Share Image
It's easy to get tired of religious fundamentalists. They're such a bore. They have no sense of mystery. It's a drag, man. — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
Listening to something without being present is different from being there in the flesh. — Kurt Elling Being Copy Share Image
[Jazz singing] is like pornography. You can't say what it is, but you know it when you see it. — Kurt Elling Jazz Copy Share Image
A lot of people are put off by the idea of scat singing. Either that or it's something to be made fun… — 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… — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
I hope to be at the top of my game when I'm 65 or 70. I don't want to reach my peak… — Kurt Elling Copy Share Image
![“[Jazz singing] is like pornography. You can't say what it is, but you know it when you see it.” quote by Kurt Elling](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/b41/kurt-elling-6944_jazz_jazz-singing-is-like-pornography-you-can_1883577.jpg)
