Sullivan Fortner Trio – Southern Nights

Running time: 90 min

Sullivan Fortner, piano; Tyrone Allen, double bass; Kayvon Gordon, drums

Grammy-winning pianist Sullivan Fortner, one of the most original pianists of his generation, showcases his native New Orleans spirit with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Marcus Gilmore on his latest release, a joyful trio album, Southern Nights.

Recorded during a weeklong residency at New York’s iconic Village Vanguard, Southern Nights channels the raw energy of the trio's live sets. Their unrehearsed connection culminated in a spontaneous recording session, with no edits, or retakes. Fortner, a former student of Ellis Marsalis and long-time collaborator of Cécile McLorin Salvant (he performed with Cécile at the 66th Ljubljana Jazz Festival in Križanke in 2025), pays homage to his musical roots with a selection of songs by Allen Toussaint, Clifford Brown, and tributes to his mentor, bassist Bill Lee, and his sister, pianist Consuela Lee.

“It’s definitely not America. The Spanish and Caribbean influences run deep, and you can hear that in the music,” Fortner explains, while in the album's liner notes music historian Ashley Kahn emphasizes Fortner’s New Orleans roots, noting how the city’s unique musical ethos—marked by an openness to tradition and innovation alike—shines through in his playing. “There’s something about the music of New Orleans that goes beyond distinctive rhythms,” writes Kahn. “It’s an unrestrained respect for music’s porous nature, a willingness to mix, meld, and breathe. You hear that generosity and bubbling joy in every note Fortner plays,” adds Kahn.

Southern Nights, nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Album Grammy, has solidified Fortner’s place as one of jazz’s most vital voices – a pianist garnering praise from critics and audiences alike. 

Fortner’s touring line-up includes bassist Tyrone Allen II, and drummer Kayvon Gordon. Tyrone developed a passion for music at an early age under the tutelage of his father, a music teacher. He earned his master's degree at Berklee College of Music and then moved to Brooklyn, where he performed with legendary musicians such as the late Ralph Peterson, Terri-Lynne Carrington, Gerald Clayton, and Jazzmeia Horn.

Kayvon Gordon, protégé of trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, studied at the University of Michigan and has toured most continents with various bands. He seeks to contribute to the forward thinking aesthetic of his contemporaries while honouring the rich musical legacy of his native Detroit.

A second trio CD with Fortner’s touring line-up will come out in 2026.