New Orleans-born pianist Sullivan Fortner played last night at the beautiful, almost luxurious Alte Aula of the University in Heidelberg as part of this year’s Enjoy Jazz Festival. Among his many accolades is his work with trumpeter Roy Hargrove from 2010 to 2017. He was mentored by Fred Hersch, just like two other important contemporary…
I’ve seen singer Cécile McLorin Salvant a lot of times over the years: from the very first, timid but serious steps at the Institut Français in Manhattan with pianist Aaron Diehl right up to her dramatic opus of “L’Ogresse”, about the female, cannibal-like monstrosity which she performed in Hamburg earlier this year, from her rousing…
Pianist Sullivan Fortner wrapped up his European tour last night at Berlin’s cozy Zig Zag club. Playing two sets before a highly attentive sold-out crowd, he mastered the piano in a lot of different ways. There was the more or less classic piano style which he probably took over from his mentor Barry Harris and…
Pianist Sullivan Fortner, who also works in Roy Hargrove‘s band, just had to be recorded one day. Not only because he is a brilliant pianist, but also a prolific composer as well. Five of the songs from his debut album are original compositions, with the title track being the first movement of a six-part suite,…