Concert Review: Kurt Elling

Kurt Elling and the Laurence Hobgood Trio
with guests the Marois Vocal Project
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Saturday February 4 2006 8:00pm

While Kurt Elling has made several appearances in Vancouver over the last few years this is the first time I've managed to hear his influential voice. There is a more than passing similarity to other male jazz singers like Mark Murphy, and George Evans. Elling has remarkable control over his instrument. There is a richness to his voice which is really noticeable in the lower register. He has a wide range, and can make surprisingly effortless jumps across the octaves.

My favorite number from the first set was his arrangement of Bye Bye Blackbird. It was unlike anyone else's rendition I've ever heard. He really let loose, and I was enveloped by his vocalese prowess.

In the second set Elling brought in some of Vancouver's best and brightest young jazz singers. On Orange Blossoms in the Summertime the Marois Vocal Project joined Elling on stage. The Marois Vocal Project is a vocal quartet composed of graduates of Capilano College's Jazz Studies program including Carman J. Price, and Bess Durey. This number also included wonderful solos from Elling's backing band of Laurence Hobgood (piano), Rob Amster (bass) and Frank Parker (drums).

After a final number with the Marois Vocal Project, the audience gave a standing ovation. Which of course required an encore in response. Elling returned to stage with Hobgood for a piano duo. They performed a gorgeous rendition of In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning which Elling dedicated to his wife and 15 week old daughter. This moving performance garnered another standing ovation, and warmly sent the crowd home.