A 28-year-old pianist from New Orleans, Sullivan Fortner
announces his debut album for impulse! Records entitled, Aria. Beginning with the
percussive original title-track Sullivan establishes a repetitive dance-like
rhythm that is both modern and rooted in the classics with a good dose of Latin
jazz. Fortner displays formidable skills
as an improviser with passages that are both sophisticated harmonically as well
as placed perfectly in time. "Aria" is part of a six-movement suite,
"Expansions: Suite in 'B' for Jazz Quintet," which was commissioned
by New York City's Jazz Gallery. Fortner uses three other compositions from
"Expansions" on the album - the capricious "Parade," which
is distinguished by a cheerful melody and a pulling rhythmic undercurrent, the dancing
"Passepied," inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach's French dance suites;
and the active "Finale," which implies a second-line drumming rhythm inspired
by Fortner’s Crescent City hometown.
Fortner reveals his love for Monk with his take on "I
Mean You.” Fortner’s solo is full of intricate
rhythms and clean articulated melodies. Dyson and Carroll give Fortner ample support and
the three converse effortlessly. Fred Rogers' (Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood) "You
Are Special," is included in the program. "As a little kid, I grew up
watching that show and being in awe with the music, especially the piano
player," Fortner recalls. Fortner's take of Jerome Kern and Oscar
Hammerstein's, "All The Things You Are," is a subtle tribute to the
late pianist Cedar Walton. Likewise,
Fortner's sentimental interpretation of Duke Pearson's ballad, "You Know I
Care," is a tribute to trumpeter Roy Hargrove.