GRAMMY-winning pianist and composer Sullivan Fortner brings a deeply rooted yet forward-thinking approach to jazz piano. A native of New Orleans, Fortner is known for his harmonic imagination, rhythmic sophistication, and ability to blend soulful tradition with modern inventiveness. He has released acclaimed albums including Aria, Moments Preserved, and Solo Game, and will debut his trio recording Southern Nights in 2025. A frequent collaborator with artists like Cécile McLorin Salvant, Wynton Marsalis, and Ambrose Akinmusire, he also leads his own award-winning trio, which won the 2024 DownBeat Critics Poll for Rising Star Jazz Group. Fortner has taught and given masterclasses at Oberlin Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, and NOCCA, inspiring students through mentorship and exploration. His teaching reflects the same curiosity and clarity that define his performances—bridging eras, expanding vocabulary, and deepening the language of jazz piano.
Sullivan has led multiple Open Studio Mentor Sessions and has a new course Jazz Piano Freedom.
