ONE of the world’s leading jazz vocalists has been secured for Generations in Jazz (GIJ), which will take centre stage near Mount Gambier in May.
Chicago’s Grammy Award-winning singer Kurt Elling has been confirmed among the major acts at the festival, which is one of the largest events of its type in the world.
Festival chief executive officer Belinda Shannon said Mr Elling embodied the creative spirit of GIJ.
“Kurt Elling has been thrilling audiences around the world for decades and we are so excited to have him on board for our biggest event yet,” Ms Shannon said.
“He’s not only an incredible inspiration for the thousands of school students coming to GIJ, but a master entertainer with broad audience appeal – the crowd will love him.”
The jazz superstar is renowned for his use of vocalese, writing and performing words over improvised jazz solos.
The Guardian has called him “a kind of Sinatra with superpowers”, while The Toronto Star wrote “Kurt Elling is the closest jazz will ever get to having its own saint”.
Mr Elling will make his GIJ debut at the Friday welcome concert and will stay for the entire weekend, performing at Saturday’s Gala Concert and the Sunday farewell concert.
Student participants will also have the opportunity to sign up for an exclusive Kurt Elling workshop on the Sunday morning, while he will also judge entrants for the 2019 GIJ Vocal Scholarship during their first adjudication performance at Mount Gambier’s Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on May 2.
Prizemoney for the vocal scholarship has been doubled to $10,000 by major sponsor The Border Watch, matching the $10,000 James Morrison Jazz Scholarship for instrumentalists generously donated by Andrea Evans.
Both scholarships are open to Australian and overseas-based performers aged 19 and under and the deadline for 2019 submissions is March 15.
Entry forms are available at generationsinjazz.com.au
