Julian Hartwell

Julian Hartwell is a sought-after jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and educator based in Philadelphia, PA. Originally hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, for the past 18 years he has been performing throughout the Delaware Valley and beyond – making a name for himself and sharing his talents at jazz clubs to rock venues, high-class cocktail hours, local jam sessions and everything in between. In addition to an adjunct faculty role in the music department of his alma mater Temple University, some of Hartwell’s most recent career highlights include a solo performance at the Barnes Foundation presented through Philly Jazz Project, gracing the stage of the Media Theatre for the region’s inaugural TedX event, and performing as a sideman with Indian sitar and tabla virtuoso Ustad Shafaat Khan in his East Meets West fusion project. In 2018 Julian orchestrated his first tour overseas, performing original music as a bandleader with local musicians in both Berlin and Prague, to widespread positive reception from diverse audiences. He has shared the stage with jazz luminaries like Terell Stafford, Christian McBride, Jimmy Heath, and Jon Faddis, appearing with the latter two legends on Temple University Big Band’s own 2015 release “Dear Dizzy: A Tribute to Dizzy Gillespie” – which the group had the opportunity to perform at Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC.

Since 2012 Julian has been leading his own group dubbed The Julian Hartwell Project, the primary vehicle for his ever-growing repertoire of 40+ original compositions and arrangements to date. His talents as a composer and arranger, not to mention pianist, are on full display on that group’s self-titled debut album, which garnered favorable reviews from many respected jazz outlets like All About Jazz and others upon its release in 2015. (see Press)

“All the songs are originals and display a sophisticated sense of tradition and swing… Hartwell’s own touch on the piano is confident and clean...” -George Harris, JazzWeekly.com

“Hartwell is one of the young lions of jazz in the making....”Well worth a sample and repeated spins, The Julian Hartwell Project offers a splendid slice of straight ahead jazz delivered with a fresh new sound…a gifted pianist leading a group of young talented players in their first recording together, this is one musical project that begs for an encore.” -CD review of 'The Julian Hartwell Project' by Ed Blanco @ All About Jazz

“The Julian Hartwell Project had me hooked upon hearing their first song, ‘Street Dreams’…It’s a fresh take on jazz music, that somehow manages to sound like something old school AND brand new at the same time.” ”Indeed, The JHP puts value on heavy horn arrangements and high-caliber musicianship, and it shows.” “This is feel good music that doesn’t get too unapproachable like so many jazz groups get…making music that appeals not only to the head, but to the heart as well...indeed, The JHP puts value on heavy horn arrangements and high-caliber musicianship, and it shows.” -Mark Weber, Mark Weber Music Blog

“Liner notes don’t (always) fib…when they say that Julian’s piano playing (along with the rest of his players on this high-energy jazz outing) evokes “funky, soulful & swinging”, they aren’t kidding, or hedging at all…” “A broad range of musical perception.” -Dick Metcalf, Improvijazzation Nation Blog

“It's evident how skilled Julian is at pacing a set or a show, in addition to his composer skills, bandleader skills, improvisation ideation, and straight-up piano chops

Primary Instrument

Keyboards

Location

Philadelphia

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Private Piano Teacher in Philadelphia area from 2007 on - Currently adjunct jazz piano instructor at Temple University. Proficient teaching jazz, rock, pop, blues, funk, gospel, etc. Standard Rate - $50 per hr/more depending on travel needs Focus on Fun, Improvisation, & Individual Needs...what does the student want out of Music, "Capital M" ? Technique serves as a gateway to Authentic Expression, not an end in itself. Bringing out the Potential in my Students...creating pathways to arrive at Mastery through Discipline AND Fun!