Al Jarreau is the only vocalist in the history of the GRAMMYs to win awards in three different categories (Jazz, Pop and R&B).  He’s been compared to such legends as Billy Eckstine and Johnny Mathis, and has been thrilling audiences since his 1975 debut, the top-selling “We Got By.”  Multiple GRAMMY nominee Kurt Elling is one of the great modern proponents of the “vocalese” tradition of marrying original lyrics to classic jazz solos.  Al and Kurt perform and talk with me about the great male vocalists and their own lives and times on stage and in the studio. Although approaching jazz from two opposite directions, these two master vocalists, Al Jarreau and Kurt Elling, came up with a duet on "Take Five" that will become a classic. Check it out!

Al Jarreau – Gifted with a uniquely expressive and lustrous voice, this five-time GRAMMY Award winner is one of the most exciting, innovative, and critically-acclaimed singers of our time.  Al’s host of chart-topping singles includes “Breakin' Away,” “We're In This Love Together,” “Mornin',” and “Boogie Down.”  His talent spans multiple genres, making him one of the few artists ever to win GRAMMY Awards in three different categories: Pop, Jazz and R&B.  Check out www.aljarreau.com for more information.

Kurt Elling – Kurt Elling has released six albums of self-produced music, all of which have been nominated for GRAMMY Awards.  His most recent release, Man In The Air, was nominated for a GRAMMY Award in the category of Best Male Singer.  Kurt has won both the Downbeat and the Jazz Times critics' polls for four years running, the most recent Downbeat readers' poll, two Jazz Journalists Awards and the Prix Billie Holiday from the Academie du Jazz in Paris.  In addition to performing on the road with his own quartet for the past 10 years, Kurt has shared the stage with such diverse musicians as Dave Brubeck, Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Bob Mintzer, Jon Hendricks, Buddy Guy, Charlie Hunter and Stefon Harris.  Check out www.kurtelling.com for more information.