Upward Spiral is an album by the Branford Marsalis Quartet with vocalist Kurt Elling.

[2] The leader of the quartet, saxophonist Branford Marsalis, had not previously recorded an entire album with one vocalist.

[3] The other members were pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Justin Faulkner.

[4] The music is a mix of upbeat material and some that "ponders loss, pain, dashed expectations and accommodation to all three".

[2] The AllMusic reviewer wrote: "Upward Spiral is less an album featuring a singer backed by a jazz ensemble, and more of an album that details the meeting of two highly creative artists whose talents intertwine to find new avenues of expression.