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Photo of Kurt Elling

Photo: Palma Kolansky / Attribution (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Kurt Elling

Born November 2, 1967 (age 58). From Chicago, Illinois, United States. Singer / songwriter / composer.

American singer

  • Illinois
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • composer

Born on November 2, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, United States, Kurt Elling is a singer, songwriter and composer. As of 2026, Kurt Elling is 58 years old. Education on record includes Rockford Lutheran High School and University of Chicago Divinity School. Notable works include Close Your Eyes and The Messenger.

My Take

Kurt Elling interests me because his path runs through a Lutheran church and a divinity school before it ever reaches a jazz stage. You can hear that, I think: a singer who treats lyrics with the weight of text and gives his voice a searching, almost liturgical depth. Titles like Close Your Eyes and The Messenger hint at someone after meaning, not just polish. There's a seriousness to him that I genuinely enjoy, the sense of a vocalist who studied ideas as hard as melody. He strikes me as a craftsman using jazz to ask questions, and that earns my respect.

This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.

1. Profile

Name (English)
Kurt Elling
Name (Japanese)
カート・エリング
Reading
かーと・えりんぐ
Born
November 2, 1967 (age 58)
Origin
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Occupation
singer / songwriter / composer / jazz musician / musician
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
Scorpio / Goat

2. Background

High school
Rockford Lutheran High School
University
University of Chicago Divinity School

3. Works & records

Filmography / notable works

CategoryTitle
Notable workClose Your Eyes
Notable workThe Messenger

5. About this entry

Tags

  • Illinois
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • composer
Last updated

Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.

Frequently asked questions

When was Kurt Elling born?

Born November 2, 1967 (age 58).

Where is Kurt Elling from?

Kurt Elling is from Chicago, Illinois, United States.

What does Kurt Elling do?

Kurt Elling works as singer, songwriter, composer, jazz musician, musician.

What is Kurt Elling known for?

Notable works include Close Your Eyes, The Messenger.

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