Ira SUlivan © Andrea Canter

Mr Ira Sullivan is one the true jazz greats of our time, master of trumpet, flugel horn, tenor sax, alto sax, soprano sax, and flute. He learned to play the trumpet from his father and the saxophone from his mother. Sullivan was a vital part of the Chicago jazz scene of the 1950s and, in 1956, spent some time with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. His career encompasses the history of modern jazz. He performed with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. His discography includes sessions with Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Johnny Griffin, Roland Kirk, Red Garland, and Red Rodney. A native of Chicago, Sullivan has resided in Miami since the early 60's. An accomplished performer and educator, Sullivan has been instrumental in the development of many young jazz musicians careers. Pat Metheny fell under Ira's wing when he was a student at the University of Miami.....and there have been many others.

Music, he feels, is of the spirit and says, "Everything spiritual comes from God". He brings his music to worship services everywhere and for years now has ended every performance with the venerated old hymn, "Amazing Grace". "People miss it if I omit it now", he says. While living, performing and teaching in Florida, Ira mentored a number of musicians, He inspired Jaco Pastorious who considered Sullivan one of the greats: "..take a tune like 'Donna Lee,' and play it on the bass without a piano player so that you always could hear the changes as well as the melody. It's a question of learning to reflect the original chord in just the line. Players like Wayne Shorter, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Ira Sullivan can do that. I wanted to be able to do it, too."

Ira Sullivan © Howard A. Gitelson

Through September 3rd at the Jazz Showcase 59 W. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60610 - Telephone: (312)670-2473