One of the world’s foremost jazz vocalists, Grammy winner Kurt Elling will perform music from his newest album, “1619 Broadway: The Brill Building Project,” at the Lied Center for Performing Arts at 8 p.m. Nov. 20.
Elling will pay homage to Frank Sinatra’s 99th birthday next month (Dec. 12) with a program titled “Kurt Elling Swings Sinatra.” Elling lends his voice to Sinatra’s repertoire with reinterpretations of classic hits such as “Come Fly With Me,” “My Funny Valentine,” “The Lady is a Tramp” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” These familiar tunes are transformed by Elling’s superb vocal expertise, breathing new life into old favorites for today’s audiences.
Tickets, at $36 for adults, are available at http://www.liedcenter.org, at the Lied Center Box Office, 301 N. 12th St., or by phone at 402-472-4747. Tickets to most Lied Center shows are available to students for 50 percent off.
Elling has been named Male Vocalist of the Year an unprecedented 14 times by DownBeat Magazine’s Critic’s Poll and was described by the New York Times as “the standout male vocalist of our time.”
Joining Elling on stage will be Lincoln’s Jackie Allen, a critically acclaimed vocalist, songwriter and educator. Allen released her 10th CD, “My Favorite Color,” in early 2014, her first studio album in seven years. Her previous release, “Starry Night” (2009), was recorded live with chamber orchestra and features songs penned by arrangers who have written for such legends and noted artists as Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Doc Severinsen and Bobby McFerrin. Allen teaches at Doane College and has taught at UNL.
