Sullivan Fortner
Sullivan Fortner | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1986 (age 37–38) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Years active | 2000s–present |
| Website | sullivanfortnermusic.com |
Sullivan Joseph Fortner (born 1986) is an American jazz pianist and composer. He was the 2015 winner of the American Pianists Association Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz.
Life and career
Fortner was born and grew up in New Orleans.[1][2] He started playing the piano from the age of four.[1] He was inspired to play by seeing a woman playing the organ in a local church.[2] He has a bachelor's degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music.[2][3]
In 2009, Fortner was part of vibraphonist Stefon Harris' band.[4] Fortner is pianist in trumpeter Roy Hargrove's quintet.[5] Fortner recorded with that band's saxophonist, Justin Robinson, in 2013.[6] In 2015, Fortner was the winner of the American Pianists Association Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz, a prize that consists of "$50,000, the opportunity to record for Mack Avenue Records, and two years of professional career services and development".[7]
As of early 2015, Fortner's own quartet contained saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, bassist Ameen Saleem and drummer Jeremy "Bean" Clemons.[5] Fortner's first release as leader was Aria, for Impulse! Records.[8]
Discography
An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.
As leader
| Year recorded | Title | Label | Personnel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015* | Aria | Impulse! | Quartet, with Tivon Pennicott (tenor sax, soprano sax), Aidan Carroll (bass), Joe Dyson Jr. (drums) |
As sideman
| Year recorded | Leader | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007* | Theo Croker | Fundementals | Left Sided Music |
| 2009* | Clyde Kerr, Jr. | This Is Now | |
| 2010* | Donald Harrison | Quantum Leaps | Fomp |
| 2011* | Etienne Charles | Kaiso | Culture Shock |
| 2011 | Lauren Henderson | Lauren Henderson | |
| 2011* | Arnold Lee | Arnold Lee Quartet | Leeandthem |
| 2011 | Theo Croker | Afro Physicist | OKeh/DDB |
| 2012* | Truan Savage | Five Colors | |
| 2013 | Justin Robinson | Alana's Fantasy | Criss Cross Jazz |
| 2015* | Paul Jones | Short History | Blu Jazz |
References
- ^ a b "Get to Know Jazz Fellowship Awards Finalist Sullivan Fortner". (October 7, 2014) American Pianists Association.
- ^ a b c "Sullivan Fortner". (September 22, 2013) Smalls Live.
- ^ Burton, Tonya (October 7, 2014) "Society Column: Jazz Pianists Impress APA Sponsors at Ozdemir Estate". Current in Carmel.
- ^ Ratliff, Ben (October 23, 2009) "Jazz and Funk Roots, Joyfully Unearthed". The New York Times.
- ^ a b West, Michael J. (January 25, 2015) Pianist Sullivan Fortner and Ensemble at Kennedy Center". The Washington Post.
- ^ Ross, John (October 2014) "Justin Robinson – The Power of Dedication". Down Beat. p. 21.
- ^ Chinen, Nate (March 29, 2015) "Sullivan Fortner Wins 2015 Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz". The New York Times.
- ^ Hale, James (January 2016) "Sullivan Fortner – Aria". Down Beat. p. 60.