VOA标准英语2011--Kurt Elling's 'The Gate' Ventures Beyond

You don't have to be a jazz fan to appreciate Kurt Elling. In fact, when you look at the names of the artists whose works he's covered, jazz may not be the first thing that comes to mind. On The Gate, he turns to the music of The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, David Foster, and others.
Kurt Elling's "The Gate" CD
Whoever he sings, and whatever he writes, Elling always surprises. His unconventional repertoire¹ features the usual jazz standard or two, but at the heart of each new album, are his stylized renditions of modern pop.
Born and raised in Chicago, Kurt Elling recorded his first album at age 27. Each of his previous albums were nominated for Grammy Awards, including his most recent release, "Dedicated² To You," which earned him his first-ever Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal³ Album. Elling has earned high marks from critics as well. Every year since 2000, he's topped Down Beat magazine's Critics Poll for Male Vocalist of the Year.?
Adding to his eclectic mix on The Gate are Elling's masterful updates of tunes⁴ by the progressive rock band King Crimson⁵, jazzmen Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis, and pop singer Joe Jackson, who had a Top 10 hit with "Steppin' Out" in 1982.

1 repertoire   

n.(准备好演出的)节目，保留剧目；(计算机的)指令表，指令系统， <美>(某个人的)全部技能；清单，指令表

参考例句：

• There is an extensive repertoire of music written for the flute.有很多供长笛演奏的曲目。
• He has added considerably to his piano repertoire.他的钢琴演奏曲目大大增加了。

2 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

3 vocal   

adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目

参考例句：

• The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
• Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。

4 tunes   

n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

参考例句：

• a potpourri of tunes 乐曲集锦
• When things get a bit too much, she simply tunes out temporarily. 碰到事情太棘手时，她干脆暂时撒手不管。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 crimson   

n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色

参考例句：

• She went crimson with embarrassment.她羞得满脸通红。
• Maple leaves have turned crimson.枫叶已经红了。