Wildflowers: Kurt Elling with Ben Paterson

Friday, Sep. 18 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)

Experience an unforgettable evening of world-class jazz as GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling takes the stage with GRAMMY Award-winning pianist Ben Paterson for a special concert during the School of American Music's 2nd Annual JazzFest.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz vocalists of our time, Elling is known for his rich baritone, poetic lyricism, and captivating stage presence. Joined by the extraordinary Ben Paterson—celebrated for his soulful, masterful piano work—this performance promises both power and intimacy. Together, they will bring selections from Elling’s acclaimed Wildflowers albums to life, blending jazz standards, unexpected covers, and innovative arrangements into a truly unique musical experience.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see two of today’s most compelling jazz artists live at The Acorn.

About the Artists:

Kurt Elling

Kurt Elling is a two-time GRAMMY Award–winning vocalist renowned for his signature rich sound and an inventive, deeply individualized body of work. With a one-of-a-kind approach to contemporary beat lyricism and vocalese, the Chicago-based artist has expanded the expressive possibilities of vocal jazz. The New York Times has called Elling “the standout male jazz vocalist of our time,” while The Guardian (UK) praised him as “a kind of Sinatra with superpowers”.

Over a career spanning more than twenty-five years of touring and recording, Elling has earned three Prix du Jazz Vocal (France), two German Echo Awards, two Dutch Edison Awards, and sixteen GRAMMY nominations. He has topped the DownBeat Critics and Readers Polls for Male Vocalist of the Year for more than a decade and is a twelve-time Jazz Journalists Association Award winner. In recent years, his work has continued to garner widespread acclaim for its ambition, range, and cross-genre reach.

In 2024, Elling made his Broadway debut to critical praise, starring as Hermes in the Tony Award–winning musical Hadestown, further underscoring his rare versatility as both a jazz artist and theatrical performer. His performance introduced him to new audiences while reaffirming his stature as one of the most expressive vocalists of his generation.

Elling has collaborated with leading figures across the jazz world, including Branford Marsalis, Danilo Pérez, Fred Hersch, Charlie Hunter, and Stefon Harris, and has appeared as a featured soloist with many of the world’s premier large ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the BBC Concert Symphony Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, the WDR Big Band and Orchestra, the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, and the Village Vanguard Orchestra . A prolific lyricist and composer, Elling has also co-created multidisciplinary works for Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre and the City of Chicago. Jazz at Lincoln Center presented the world premiere of The Big Blind, a new jazz musical he is co-writing with songwriter Phil Galdston. National Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky has written that “In Kurt Elling’s art, the voice of jazz gives new spiritual presence to the ancient, sweet and powerful bond between poetry and music”. Elling has toured internationally in a wide range of settings, including UNESCO-sponsored International Jazz Day performances around the globe, and has appeared twice at the White House. He has served as Artist-in-Residence at both the Monterey and Singapore Jazz Festivals and, as an industry leader, spent six years as a Trustee and two years as Vice Chairman of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Ben Paterson

'As soulful a pianist / organist as exists anywhere.” - Downbeat Magazine

Combining a joyful swing feel with an impeccable touch, Steinway Artist Ben Paterson has established himself as one of the most exciting pianists on the Jazz scene today, garnering international acclaim for his superb musicianship and engaging performances. Originally from Philadelphia, Ben studied both classical and jazz music before moving to the great city of Chicago, absorbing the unique blend of Jazz and Blues that can only be found in the Windy City. Now based in New York, Ben is poised to bring his unique talents and style to a wider audience, performing regularly at top notch venues around town, and at clubs and festivals around the world.

Starting in 2005, Ben was honored to join the band of NEA Jazz Master Von Freeman, performing with him regularly until Von’s passing in August 2012. Other notable collaborations include work with Catherine Russell, Bobby Broom, Houston Person, Samara Joy, Johnny O’Neal, Red Holloway, Eldee young, Peter Bernstein, Jerry Weldon and Ed Cherry to name a few, with performances opening for groups like Steely Dan and B.B. King.

In 2018 Ben was named as the First Place Winner of the Ellis Marsalis International Jazz Piano Competition, with judges including Ellis and Branford Marsalis, Arturo O'Farrill and Jonathan Batiste. In 2019 he performed at Jazz at Lincoln Center as part of their tribute to Oscar Peterson, playing alongside John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, and fellow pianists including Benny Green and Kenny Barron. In 2023 Ben was the pianist on the Grammy Winning record ‘Linger Awhile’ from Samara Joy, joined by David Wong on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.

Ben has released 9 CD's under his own name: Breathing Space (OA2 Records 2007), Blues For Oscar (Meetinghouse Records 2012), Essential Elements (MAXJAZZ 2013), For Once In My Life (Origin 2015), That Old Feeling (Cellar Live 2018), Live at Van Gelder's (Cellar Live 2018), I'll Be Thanking Santa (Meetinghouse Records 2019), Just The Way We Are (2024), and Cookin In The Couve' (Cellar Live 2024). Visit www.benpaterson.com for more information.

RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $30 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $30 Donation per ticket holder in your group.

All ticket purchases are non-refundable, non-exchangeable. 

The Acorn is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.