Hyperbole surrounds Ira Sullivan. It is evident in both his music and his life. His talent has been called “Pure lyric,” “Fire,” “Formidable,” “Complex,” “Ornate,” “Unparalleled,” “Haunting,” or, more simply, “Legend.” Some reviewers say he is a musical genius; others say this is an understatement. They cite his ability to pick up a strange instrument and, within a few days, to be as conversant with it as if he had been playing it for years.
World class multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan plays trumpet, flugelhorn, peckhorn, tenor, alto, and soprano saxophones, flute, and an occasional round of drums, all of them impeccably and not as a gimmick. A master of almost the entire range of brass and reed instruments, he is known for his ability to come in cold and turn in a stellar performance.
Ira is widely recorded and tours on the national and international jazz circuits. A five-time Grammy nominee, he serves as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts. As a clinician, lecturer, and adjudicator in jazz workshops at universities and schools across the country and abroad, he finds that the History of Jazz programs that he initiated while attending high school in Chicago are now being replicated in many of these institutions.
One if his current projects is an ensemble he calls the INTER/OUTERCONTINENTAL JAZZ QUARTET. Together, this unique and multiethnic group expresses a wide spectrum of the jazz milieu, dipping freely into both traditional and uncommon territory.
Ira Sullivan feels that music is one of the finest gifts God has bestowed upon mankind. He believes that it transcends mere entertainment, and that it can be healing to the human spirit. One of his greatest joys is leading Jazz Vespers at the many churches he plays, where the congregations share his belief that there is a dynamic spiritual connotation to this most American of musical styles. It is this spiritual impulse that most clearly defines Ira Sullivan’s music. For forty years, he has ended his performances all over the world with the venerable hymn “Amazing Grace,” a soulful salute to the Spirit within.
DISCOGRAPHY
Ira Sullivan "After Hours"
Ira Sullivan "EAST COAST" (new release)
"Sprint" (With Red Rodney)
Ira Sullivan "Strings Attached"
"Live at the Village Vanguard" (with Red Rodney)
Ira Sullivan "Does it All"
Red Rodney featuring Ira Sullivan "Alive in New York"
"Questique" (with Tony Castellano, Pete Minger, Gary Campbell, Don Coffman & Neil Rodgers)
"Nadia's Them" Varied Artists Anthology
"Gulfstream "Ted Shumate with Ira Sullivan
Tony Castellano featuring Ira Sullivan "Wonderful Ones"
Ciao,Ira ,Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
Just put new track up called L!! (well, it's 12yrs old actually but someone told me they loved it) Plus some amazing photos by a Canadian photographer called Marjorie j. Toro inc one where she's almost standing at the end of a rainbow ~
Ira, great to see you play today in Tampa, and great talking to you. All good things in 2009, and I will hold a space for you on the bill for Jazz On Edge 2010! Best, Joe
Hi Ira- I was so excited to find your myspace site. I used to hear you play at a Unitarian Church in Miami, during my high school and college years at the University of Miami. I always felt that I was in the presence of greatness when I heard you play. You are one of a handful of musicians who is born to do what you do. Although my focus is in classical music, I enjoy listening to many genres of music. Thank you for sharing your tremendous talent! We are ever so grateful! Alicia
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