Sullivan Fortner blends bop with electronic textures on new album

Grammy-winning jazz pianist Sullivan Fortner has released a new album titled Leave That in There. The project marks a shift from the New Orleans-focused style of his 2024 record Southern Nights toward a more experimental approach similar to his 2023 release Solo Game.

The album contains 13 tracks that blend straight-ahead bebop with electronic elements. Fortner incorporates stylistic influences from Herbie Hancock’s 1970s fusion work and the serene synthesizer compositions of Sun Ra. These elements create a sound that is accessible to listeners familiar with traditional jazz while challenging standard genre parameters.

Fortner integrates minimalist systems music motifs reminiscent of Philip Glass into the compositions. He also features multi-tracked wordless vocals, a technique that highlights his vocal range. The production occasionally includes sounds that evoke an African kalimba finger piano, adding another layer of texture to the music.

Despite the mix of electric and acoustic elements, the album maintains a cohesive structure. This consistency is aided by Fortner’s collaborators, including percussionist Kayvo Gordon and upright bassist and keyboardist Tyrone Allen II. Their flexible performance styles allow the varied musical ideas to connect smoothly across the brief tracklist.

The title serves as a commentary on the unpredictable nature of improvisatory performance. It also acts as a directive for listeners to approach the music with an open mind. The record offers a distinct departure from Fortner’s previous work while retaining his signature compositional style.