Grammy award-winning pianist and composer Sullivan Fortner reminded audiences of the joy it is to have him back in D.C. at Georgetown’s Blues Alley.
Accompanied by bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Kayvon Gordon, the Fortner trio opened with the song “No 3” by Detroit drummer, composer and educator Lawrence Williams. That was an opportunity to spotlight drummer Gordon immediately.
With the song “Stablemates,” audiences saw one of Fortner’s many styles. He seems to overlap chords effortlessly, allowing several songs to be blended. The listener may not realize that they just hear three to four different tunes as one.
For instance, after the trio’s performance, Fortner confirmed to The Informer that the well-known jazz standard “Spain,” by late pianist and composer Chick Corea, was woven into one of the pieces played by the trio.
During the show, the pianist asked the audience, “Any operatic singers in the room,” before going into a piece by Gabriel Fauré, a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher who lived between 1845 and 1924. Fauré is best known for the song “Clair de lune.”
To have bassist Nakamura as a part of the Sullivan Fortner Trio was a gift to the audience. His bass lines punctuate the melodies delivered by Fortner and Gordon. It was a grand, tight set delivered by the group.
New Orleans native Fortner shared that he received a few bumps and bruises on the Blues Alley stage early in his career playing with the late trumpeter Roy Hargrove in 2006.
“Sometimes, he would look at me, and I knew I was going to hear about it,” Fortner said about Hargrove.
It was a beautiful set leading into a busy performance schedule for the next few months. To keep up with Fornter’s schedule, visit his website sullivanfortnermusic.com.
Blues Alley Update
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Blues Alley, D.C. audiences will be able to enjoy up-and-coming talent courtesy of the iconic jazz venue, which will showcase talent audiences should check out on Monday evenings.
Founded in 1965, Blues Alley is the nation’s oldest continuing jazz supper club, showcasing internationally renowned concert hall artists.
Freda Payne, Jean Carne, Jazzmeia Horn, Marion Meadows, and The Baylor Project are coming to Blues Alley over the next few weeks. The club is also holding the 8th Annual Ella Fitzgerald Competition, with a deadline of Jan. 31 to enter.
For more information on upcoming shows and the competition, go to bluesalley.com.