Gate

Personnel: Kurt Elling (vocals); John McLean (guitar); Bob Mintzer (tenor saxophone); Laurence Hobgood (piano); Terreon Gully (drums).
Audio Mixer: Seth Presant.
Recording information: Sear Sound, New York, NY (03/15/2010-03/17/2010); Village Studios, Los Angeles, CA (03/15/2010-03/17/2010).
Kurt Elling's The Gate is his most provocative recording to date. Produced by the Grammy-winning Don Was, this nine-track set features the vocalist and lyricist in the company of longtime pianist Laurence Hobgood, saxophonist Bob Mintzer, guitarist John McLean, bassist John Patitucci, and drummers Terreon Gulley and Kobie Watkins, with Lenny Castro on percussion. The material ranges from jazz classics such as Miles Davis' "Blue in Green" and Herbie Hancock's "Come Running to Me," to highly individualized readings of the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood," King Crimson's "Matte Kudasai," Joe Jackson's "Steppin' Out," and Stevie Wonder's "Golden Lady," to the original "Samurai Cowboy," co-written with Marc Johnson.