The 25-26 Milt Hinton Jazz Perspectives concert

For more than a decade, Sullivan Fortner has been stretching deep-rooted talents as a pianist, composer, band leader and uncompromising individualist. The GRAMMY Award-winning artist and recipient of the 2026 Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award has garnered international praise as a leader and a fierce collaborator. He earned the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance on Samara Joy’s “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me” and the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album alongside Cécile McLorin Salvant for her acclaimed album The Window, on which he serves as both key player and producer. Fortner also has earned GRAMMY nods for his 2023 release Solo Game and his provocative arrangement of “Optimistic Voices/No Love Dying” from Salvant’s 2022 release Ghost Song.

BREAKING: Sullivan Fortner has just received The Gilmore’s Inaugural Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award, one of the most prestigious honors in music.

MORE BREAKING NEWS: Sullivan Fortner has been nominated for a 2026 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.