# Kurt Elling is bringing his live radio-style drama to the UK: Video

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2019/09/18/kurt-elling-is-bringing-his-live-radio-style-drama-to-the-uk-video/
- Published: 2019-09-18T17:47:51+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Kurt Elling has announced he’s bringing his new radio
drama project to the UK… a live words and music show called ‘The Big Blind’ telling
the story of a young jazz singer in 1950’s Chicago who “faces the ultimate test”.**

It’s an all star cast of musicians for the project (which already debuted on Broadway
in 2019) including Kurt himself, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Clarke Peters and our own 
Ian Shaw, along with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Guy Barker.

The show is directed by Terry Kinney (actor, director, and founding member of Steppenwolf
Theatre Company) and features new, original compositions by Elling and Galdston 
as well as lyric adaptations of songs by Duke Ellington, Wayne Shorter, Sammy Cahn,
Joe Zawinul, Jimmy Van Heusen, Joe Jackson, and Jaco Pastorius. Kurt says it’s a“
rollercoaster of a tale”.

It’s a one off UK performance at London’s Southbank Center on January 31st next 
year.

The BBC Concert Orchestra and an all-star cast present Guy Barker and Kurt Elling’s
noir-inspired jazz audio drama.

Set in mid 20th-century Chicago, this radio-style drama with music charts the trials
and tribulations of a young jazz singer.

The gripping tale features original compositions and lyrical adaptations of songs
by Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, Joe Jackson and Charles Mingus, all re-imagined by
Elling.

Experience a classic thriller coming to life.

Performers

BBC Concert Orchestra
 Guy Barker _conductor_ Kurt Elling _singer_ Ian Shaw _singer_
Dee Dee Bridgewater _singer_ Clarke Peters _singer_ Jeff Ward _foley artist_

Repertoire

Kurt Elling: [with Phil Galdston]: The Big Blind (arr. Guy Barker) (UK premiere)

![The Big Blind](https://d33hx0a45ryfj1.cloudfront.net/additional/Dynamic/media/
79016f976307beb2?w=1600&h=900&crop=1)

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