Sullivan Fortner

Sullivan Joseph Fortner (born 1986) is an American jazz pianist and composer. He was the 2015 winner of the American Pianists Association Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz.

Fortner was born and grew up in New Orleans. He started playing the piano from the age of four. He was inspired to play by seeing a woman playing the organ in a local church. He has a bachelor's degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music.

In 2009, Fortner was part of vibraphonist Stefon Harris' band. Fortner is pianist in trumpeter Roy Hargrove's quintet. Fortner recorded with that band's saxophonist, Justin Robinson, in 2013. In 2015, Fortner was the winner of the American Pianists Association Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz, a prize that consists of "$50,000, the opportunity to record for Mack Avenue Records, and two years of professional career services and development".

As of early 2015, Fortner's own quartet contained saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, bassist Ameen Saleem and drummer Jeremy "Bean" Clemons. Fortner's first release as leader was Aria, for Impulse! Records.

An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.

As leader

As sideman