SULLIVAN FORTNER – Star pianist plays in Porgy & Bess in Terneuzen on May 21.
https://www.porgyenbess.nl/productie/sullivan-fortner/
38-year-old Sullivan Fortner grew up in Louisiana and New Orleans and made his mark in the jazz world as one of the new stars on piano, working with luminaries Cécile McLoren Salvant, Joe Farnsworth, Fred Hersh and Peter Bernstein. He’s a collaborator of hip contemporaries as trumpeter Theo Croker and hiphopper Kassa Overal.
He played in Roy Hargrove’s band for seven years. (three times in Porgy Bess) His lively and angular playing style oozes Thelonious Monk and Jaki Byard. Jubilance, the Spanish tinge and a strong left hand piano groove might all be defined as typically New Orleans. Fortner displays those assets in convincing fashion, while subtly displaying a knowledge of classical composition.
I had the pleasure of seeing him perform two months ago at Bimhuis in Amsterdam. His versatility, deeply rooted style, and spontaneous creativity were striking.
In my interview with Fortner for Jazzism last year, he said that it is his desire to play with the innocence of a child. Fortner: “We do play games as adults. But these are often about money and competition. It is very intriguing to see how children play. I’ve been observing the children in my family for a long time. See how a toddler takes a pen and paper and manipulates those objects in various ways. In its mouth. On the wall. When it does draw, it dryly states that its mysterious scrawl is a portrait of momma. This is all a game, free and easy. It’s playing for the sake of fun.”
He also made a brutally honest confession. “I’m always very nervous. At every gig, at every moment in the studio. Will this be the day that I’ll fall flat on my face? That everybody realizes that I’m really not that very good? You might say that I’m quite a paranoid freak! After a performance or release, it’s waiting for the judges. I always immediately wonder what people think was good or bad about it.”
Buck him up a bit at Porgy & Bess!