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Joel Futterman
Known for his spirited, highly imaginative, and innovative piano technique, Joel Futterman is an internationally recognized veteran pioneer into the frontiers of spontaneous, improvised music. He is considered one of the foremost inventive and adventurous artists shaping the creative, progressive music scene today. Futterman continuously pushes the limits of the piano as he explores new musical horizons. He has performed across North America and Europe including at such noted music festivals as The Tampere Jazz Festival in Finland, the Vision Festival in New York, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, The Nickelsdorf Festival in Austria, the Guelph Festival in Canada, the Siberia Jazz Festival in Russia, teaching and performing in Denmark at the Jyderup School,, and performances at many other festivals and venues. He has compiled a discography of over 80 recordings and has performed with such notable jazz innovators as Jimmy Lyons, Joseph Jarman, Richard Davis, William Parker, Fred Anderson, Hal Russell, Paul Murphy Ike Levin as well as Edward “Kidd” Jordan and Alvin Fielder with whom he has had a highly productive association. Futterman, originally from Chicago, lives in near seclusion in Virginia Beach, VA where he replenishes his musical energies between performances.
Joel Futterman is also the author of three books.
The Question. ”Pianist Joel Futterman's creative energies have burst forth in this unusual and compelling volume. Joel's empathy for humanity is paramount. For a world with great economic disparities, and in social, political, and spiritual turmoil; Joel provides a series of dialogues of questions and parables that advance the search for inner and outer peace. The Question could be the answer.” Michael Wilderman
The Design is a riveting mystery that deals with existentialism and the ability to become conscious.
Creative Patterns is about the creative process and improvisation.
Joel Futterman composed the musical score for the documentary film Birthright: A War Story . (2017) www.joelfutterman.com
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Joel Futterman: Innervoice
by John Sharpe
Veteran pianist Joel Futterman may be best known for his long association with saxophonist Kidd Jordan and drummer Alvin Fielder, but he is also a prolific purveyor of solo sessions. Innervoice, recorded in July 2024, is a worthy addition to a tally that also includes gems like the monumental five CD box set Creation Series (NoBusiness, 2021), among many others. Like much of Futterman's output, it was birthed entirely in the moment, with no subsequent edits. That suggests stupendous concentration, ...
Continue ReadingJoel Futterman: Innervoice
by Mark Corroto
On each of the three tracks that comprise Innervoice, pianist Joel Futterman begins with just two notes. Each note resounds in the listener's ear long after the auditory perception has faded. These two notes act as Futterman's conjuring device for what is to come. The pianist, now in his eighth decade, is playing as strong as he ever has. Even though his discography is nearing 100 releases, this solo piano recording may be the best entry point for new listeners. ...
Continue ReadingJoel Futterman, William Parker, Chad Fowler, Steve Hirsh: The Deep
by Karl Ackermann
The Deep brings together the quartet of pianist Joel Futterman, bassist William Parker, saxophonist Chad Fowler, and drummer Steve Hirsh. Individually—and collectively—they have been the catalysts for many who wander to the farther bounds of jazz. This leaderless group has recorded in distinct member formations, with Futterman and Parker dating back to Authenticity (Kali Records, 1998). Fowler, on his Mahakala label, has issued post-2020 releases with each of his bandmates. The Deep comprises a single title track drawing on many ...
Continue ReadingJoel Futterman & Steve Hirsh: Warp & Weft
by Mark Corroto
Neuroscientists, psychologists, philosophers, and modern Buddhist practitioners have all grappled with the concept of consciousness. On one hand, the science-oriented folk propose consciousness to be stuff that designates the 'me' inside a person vis-à-vis the world, whereas the more spiritual approach eschews a dualistic definition in favor of a universal or 'one' consciousness. If we take up the debate using improvised music as an example, specifically Warp & Weft by Joel Futterman and Steve Hirsh, the 'me' falls away leaving ...
Continue ReadingEdward 'Kidd' Jordan, Joel Futterman, William Parker, Hamid Drake: A Tribute to Alvin Fielder - Live at Vision Festival XXIV
by Troy Dostert
When the free jazz world lost drummer Alvin Fielder in 2019, it lamented the passing of someone who had in many ways worked to expand the reach of avant-garde jazz, to widen its accessibility to fans and students alike. His well-known status as a founding member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) and Black Arts Music Society, not to mention his participation on seminal recordings like Roscoe Mitchell's Sound (Delmark, 1966), should not overshadow his presence ...
Continue ReadingAvant Piano and Saxophone Duets: Interaction & SAMA
by John Sharpe
Joel Futterman / Kidd Jordan Interaction Self produced 2010 Matthew Shipp/ Sabir Mateen SAMA Not Two Records 2010 Sax-piano duets have an illustrious lineage. The vast majority have relied on compositional signposts to direct their musings, something avoided on these two studio dates that unite seasoned musicians who have made infrequent joint forays into the territory. First up is the appropriately named Interaction from ...
Continue ReadingThe Joel Futterman / Alvin Fielder / Ike Levin Trio: Traveling Through Now
by Henry Smith
Free jazz has always defined itself more by what it is not than by what it is. With an embrace of complete freedom of form comes a nearly infinite realm of musical possibility that has continued to expand since its cultural relevance began in the early 1960s. As various interpretations arose, a sort of nonlinear historiography developed including, among others, the spiritual jazz of John Coltrane, the “small instruments" sound of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the big band reconfigurations ...
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