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Mike on Brad
by Patrick Burnette
This fortnight's broadcast looks at four recent albums by up-and-coming artists--from the fairly well-known to the outright obscure. But hard-core listeners really want to wait for the so-called “pop matters" section, when we finally get to hear what Mike thinks of Brad Mehldau's autobiography. Is Brad teasing God? Or teasing us about God? Stay tuned to find out. Playlist Discussion of Sullivan Fortner album Southern Nights (Artwork) 4:06 Discussion of Caleb Wheeler Curtis' albums The True Story of ...
Continue ReadingSan Francisco Jazz Festival 2025
by Harry S. Pariser
San Francisco Jazz Festival SFJAZZ San Francisco, CA June 13-15, 2025 For decades now, SFJAZZ has held the San Francisco Jazz Festival as a series of concerts spread over weeks. The festivities gained a permanent home when the new building opened in January 2013. This year, new Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard decided to try something to create a distinctive experience. So, for three days, Friday through Sunday, three venues (the large Miner Auditorium, the ...
Continue ReadingSullivan Fortner: Southern Nights
by Pierre Giroux
On Southern Nights, pianist Sullivan Fortner sets out to capture lightning in a bottle and succeeds with radiant charm. Joined by the impeccable Peter Washington on bass and the restless Marcus Gilmore on drums, Fortner opts for total spontaneity: no rehearsals, no retakes, no isolation. The result is a recording that feels alive and as richly human as a live club set, yet marked by an almost telepathic cohesion. The album opens with the title track ...
Continue ReadingSullivan Fortner, Sasha Berliner, Herbie Hancock
by David Brown
This week on The Jazz Continuum, the spotlight turns to pianist and composer Sullivan Fortner, a dynamic presence in modern jazz. Known for his nuanced touch and bold improvisational voice, Fortner has made a mark through collaborations with vocalists Kurt Elling and Cécile McLorin Salvant, and through his acclaimed trio, solo, and duo recordings--including an intimate performance with bassist Rufus Reid. The program continues with groove-laden Hammond B3 tracks from Lou Donaldson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and The Delvon Lamarr Organ ...
Continue ReadingSullivan Fortner, Gabriele Comeglio, Nour Symon, Volker Meitz
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of Jazz and improvised music, cuts from new releases by harpist Ashley Jackson; pianist Sullivan Fortner; Julia Hülsmann; saxophonist Gabriele Comeglio; multidisciplinary artist Nour Symon; vocalist Eugenie Jones; keyboardist Volker Meitz; and saxophonist Lucious Crawford. Playlist Archie Shepp “Invocation: Ballad for a Child" from Attica Blues (Impulse!) :30 Archie Shepp “Ballad of a Child Attica Blues (Impulse!) 3:35 Ashley Jackson “Deep River II" from Take Me to the Water (Decca) 2:18 Sullivan Fortner ...
Continue ReadingSullivan Fortner Trio at Blues Alley
by Robert Bellafiore
Sullivan Fortner Trio Blues Alley Washington, DC January 14, 2025 There are two sides to pianist Sullivan Fortner's playing, at least. There's Fortner the neo-traditionalist, bringing stride piano into the 21st century and taking more inspiration from old giants like Willie “The Lion" Smith and James P. Johnson than, say, Bill Evans or Keith Jarrett. So far, his discography as a leader has tended to showcase the elegance and whimsy of Fortner No. 1--for example, ...
Continue ReadingEtienne Charles: Creole Orchestra Featuring René Marie
by Angelo Leonardi
A 18 anni di distanza dal debutto discografico in Culture Shock il trombettista originario di Trinidad & Tobago, si cimenta come bandleader di un ampio organico, in una lussureggiante sintesi di ritmi caraibici e orchestrazioni che vanno dalla tradizione Swing all'hip hop. L'orchestra è un ampliamento della sua storica Creole Soul Band e ospita la cantante René Marie in quattro brani. Etienne ha iniziato a scrivere per ampi organici a partire dalla collaborazione con la stessa cantante ...
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