Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets in San Francisco

Kurt Elling is an American jazz vocalist and songwriter, born in Chicago in 1967. Known for his baritone voice and vocalese, he writes lyrics for established instrumental solos and interprets standards alongside original material. His recordings include Close Your Eyes, The Messenger and the Grammy-winning Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman. Kurt Elling developed his early live repertoire through a long-running weekly engagement at the Green Mill. Live in Chicago was recorded at the club, and he later documented another engagement on Live at the Blue Note. Dedicated to You captured a further concert performance at Lincoln Center.

Yellowjackets are an American jazz-fusion band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group developed from musicians assembled around guitarist Robben Ford, then released its self-titled debut in 1981. Keyboardist Russell Ferrante became its principal composer, and the band is known for recordings including “Revelation” and the albums Shades, Four Corners and Politics. The live album Live Wires was recorded at the Roxy Theatre and released in 1992. Mint Jam followed in 2001, documenting the quartet of Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip, Bob Mintzer and Marcus Baylor at Blue Note Tokyo.