Sullivan Fortner has carved out a career as pianist for the likes of Cecile McLoren Salvant, Bria Skonberg and Lauren Henderson, but he’s also showing what he can do on his own, as his 2015 Aria was an impressive debut, and this followup is even stronger.
He works mostly in a trio format with Ameen Saleem/b and Jeremy “Bean” Clemmons/dr, and with his deft bop touch does some nice interplay with a hip “Changing Keys” a bouncy “Barbara’s Strut” and a nifty hip “Pep Talk.” Saleem brings in a nice bass line for the kinetic “Beans and Cornbread” and uses space well with the leader on ”In A Sentimental Mood.” Fortner is dark and reflective on his intro to the thoughtful “Elegy For Clyde Kerr Jr.” Trumpeter Roy Hargrove joins in for a melancholy read of Elmo Hope’s “Eyes So Beautiful As Yours” while in a duo format the pianist and horn man use space and pastoral harmonies for a medley of Thelonious Monk tunes. On his own, Fortner demonstrates a crystalline solemnity on “Fantasy” and a cozy parlor mood on a peaceful “The Solid Rock.” The mix of sensitivity and joy make in a variety of formats makes this a winning pick.