That decision to drop out of divinity school looks like the right one. As far as record sales go, Kurt Elling has yet to crack the Billboard Jazz Top 10. Nevertheless, he’s widely considered one of the hottest things going in male jazz vocalists, and with five Grammy nominations on five CDs, he must be doing something right. The Gustavus alum has a pleasing baritone and a fine sense of tonal control, and his instincts are spot-on. He’s accomplished at the slow burn of a romantic ballad, and can switch gears in an instant to pop into one of his self-described improvisational “rants.” His savvy sense of experimentation helped make his reputation, yet his love for the classics is self-evident—as is his appreciation for Frank Sinatra, whose voice and phrasings he mimics with proficiency. Dakota, Bandana Square, St. Paul, (651) 642-1442, www.dakotacooks.com
Kurt Elling
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