(Contemporary Jazz Vocals) Kurt Elling - Close Your Eyes - 1995, FLAC (image+.cue) lossless

Kurt Elling (born November 2, 1967) is an American jazz vocalist, composer, lyricist and vocalese performer. Born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Rockford, Elling first became interested in music through his father, who was Kapellmeister at a Lutheran church. Growing up, Elling sang in choirs and played various musical instruments, but wasn't exposed to jazz until he attended Gustavus Adolphus College. Elling enrolled in graduate school at the University of Chicago Divinity School, but left school one credit short of a master's degree to pursue a career as a jazz vocalist.
Elling began to perform around Chicago, scat singing and improvising his own lyrics. He recorded a demo in the early 1990s and was signed by Blue Note Records, releasing a total of seven albums with the label. He has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards, winning Best Vocal Jazz Album for Dedicated to You (2009) on the Concord Jazz label. Elling often leads the Down Beat critics poll, and he was awarded the Prix Billie Holiday from the Académie du Jazz. Since 1995, Elling has collaborated with pianist, composer, and arranger Laurence Hobgood, leading a quartet that regularly tours the world.

CLOSE YOUR EYES was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.
Recorded at Tone Zone Recording, Chicago, Illinois between February 14 and November 2, 1994. Includes liner notes by Laurence Hobgood.

Kurt Elling - vocals
Edward Peterson - tenor saxophone
Von Freeman - tenor saxophone
Laurence Hobgood - piano, synthesizer
Dave Onderdonk - acoustic & electric guitars
Rob Amster - acoustic & electric basses
Eric Hochberg - acoustic bass
Paul Wertico - drums, percussion