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

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.