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 was not 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.