For Man In The Air, Elling's sixth release for Blue Note Records, the 35-year-old Chicagoan has created original lyrics for compositions by such giants as saxophonist John Coltrane, pianist Herbie Hancock, guitarist Pat Metheny and others close to his heart. Elling hopes that audiences will fall in love with music that he himself adores, or will rediscover some compositions they have loved and overlooked for a time. Kurt Elling: Vocals Laurence Hobgood: Piano & Rhodes Electric Piano Rob Amster: Bass Frank Parker, Jr.: Drums & Percussion Stefon Harris: Vibes Jim Gailloreto: Soprano Saxophone with Paul Wertico (Drums on Track 1) and Brad Wheeler (Soprano Saxophone on Track 1)