2015 American Pianists Awards winner Sullivan Fortner’s star shines brighter with each month of his flourishing career. Here is a picture book with some recent highlights.

2015 American Pianists Awards winner Sullivan Fortner’s star shines brighter with each month of his flourishing career. Here is a picture book with some recent highlights.

Opportunities abound for artists with Sullivan's talents. Case in point: iconic singer-songwriter Paul Simon invited Sullivan to play on a new recording, and Sullivan has been thrilled by spending time in the studio together:

 

Sullivan Fortner with Paul Simon
Sullivan Fortner with Paul Simon and band 

In the Spring, Sullivan toured the east coast and Europe with Cécile McLorin Salvant. Here is a shot of the duo at NYC’s Harlem Stage Gatehouse:

Sullivan Fortner and Cecile McLorin Salvant at Harlem Stage Gatehouse
Sullivan and Cécile at Harlem Stage Gatehouse

And another of the pair at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston:

Sullivan Fortner and Cecile McLorin Salvant at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston
Sullivan and Cécile at Scullers in Boston

Salvant also tours extensively with 2011 Awards winner Aaron Diehl, a partnership that was recently profiled in The New Yorker. As illustrated in the July edition of our monthly newsletter, 88 Keys, collaborations involving American Pianists Awards alumni are in abundant supply as of late.

Sometimes a solo gig feels right, though, and in May Sullivan hit the intimate Mezzrow in Greenwich Village for a few special nights:

Sullivan Fortner at Mezzrow listening room and lounge
Sullivan at Mezzrow listening room and lounge

In June, Sullivan made his debut at Jazz at Lincoln Center's magnificent Appel Room in a performance celebrating Thelonious Monk and shared with the world via webcast:

Late last month The Root included Sullivan with saxophonist Kamasi Washington and bassist Russell Hall in a short feature titled "A Brief History of Jazz by Some of the Genre's Freshest Faces."

This summer Sullivan returns to the music festival scene with scheduled appearances at Caramoor Jazz Festival in Katonah, NY, Jazz Port Townsend north of Seattle and Kansas City's Charlie Parker Celebration (check out our calendar for additional dates). We will continue to follow his progress and share pictures and videos as they come in. And if you luck into seeing this great talent perform in person, feel free to post your own shots on social media--we look forward to seeing those posts!

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The American Pianists Association's mission proclaims the organization's commitment to continually promote and advance the careers of world-class pianists like Sullivan Fortner. You can help fulfill this mission by making a gift today.

 

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