presents The Kurt Elling Quartet at UC's Mandel Hall on Feb. 19, 1999, 8pm

the show opens with... The Malachi Thompson Free Bop Band and special guest Billy Harper

A Chicagoan with an acerbic, nasal, flexible, commanding vocal style unlike any you've heard -- except for the gravelly hoot and intrepid synthesis of his idol Mark Murphy -- Kurt Elling does standards to turn your head and invert old meanings. He inserts mystical scat into "Nature Boy," wheezes ill breezes under Orbert Davis's Miles-ian trumpet on "April in Paris," and does his patented "rant" (spontaneous improvisation of lyric poetry) on a medley of originals with fellow alternative voice and pianist Laurence Hobgood. And that's just the first "set" on the second Blue Note CD from this demanding innovator. -the Boston Phoenix   Blue Note Chicago jazzman Elling has it all: an awesome tenor voice, a bizarre sense of humor, as well as a suave demeanor and good looks. His shows (often with pianist Laurence Hobgood and drummer Paul Wertico), include standards, crooning ballads, and up-tempo scat numbers, as well as some way-out avant-garde stuff. His Grammy- nominated (Lena Horne edged him out) debut Blue Note disc Close Your Eyes is as close to ensemble perfection as you can come. -Centerstage Media   "the most interesting and innovative jazz singer to come along in years" -Artie Shaw