SULLIVAN FORTNER

SOUTHERN NIGHTS

Artwork Records

Sullivan Fortner, piano; Peter Washington, bass; Marcus Gilmore, drums.

Sullivan Fortner starts out playful, playing an Allen Toussaint tune called, “Southern Nights” that is also the title of Fortner’s latest album release.   His busy fingers Bojangle-dance across the keys.  The tune is dipped in the blues that Sullivan Fortner interprets very well.  This album is a testament to Fortner’s artistry, but also to the vibrant New Orleans heritage.

Grammy-winning pianist, Fortner has picked a wide-range of eclectic music to share with his eager audience.  This is music that captures the excitement and animation of ‘live’ jazz.  The trio went into the studio with no isolation, no edits, no overdubs or retakes. They just laid down this incredible hour of entertainment.  You feel the raw energy and improvisational excitement from these musicians.  Sullivan Fortner is a master musician whose piano playing is totally engaging and fluid.

When they play the Cole Porter tune “I Love You,” they swing it so hard and at such a rapid pace, I feel like the speakers in my listening room might shake off their speaker shelves.  This is followed by a Fortner original simply titled, “9-Bar Tune.”  The spotlight is focused full blast on drummer Marcus Gilmore during this arrangement and he does not disappoint. The tune itself is very reminiscent of the Thelonious Monk composition style.  This awesome trio moves from Fortner’s original tune to “Tres Palabra” by Osvaldo Farres.  It puts me in a Latin-frame-of-mind and makes me long for a dance partner to bolero me around my room.  The great Peter Washington takes a creative bass solo that is stunning.  When Fortner re-enters the scene on piano, he is playful once again on the piano’s upper register keys, repeating a happy musical line that is melodic and delightful to hear.

Fortner celebrates one of his dear mentors, Bill Lee by playing one of his compositions called “Again, never” and a song by Bill’s sister, Consuela Lee called “Discovery.”

Sullivan Fortner is not only a formidable pianist, he is a well-respected accompanist.  I found this wonderful example of how creative and masterful he is when playing with the great Diane Reeves.

Each carefully chosen tune on this musical excursion is perfectly presented by three dynamic musicians who sometimes leave me breathless with their creativity and technical abilities.  They offer Clifford Brown’s “Daahoud” and Woody Shaw’s “Organ Grinder” tune. Shaw’s song closes this album out. You can look forward to this album becoming available to the public on Feb 14, 2025.  It would make a sweet Valentine’s Day gift.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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