Joel Futterman


Joel Futterman is an American jazz pianist and soprano saxophonist.
A native of Chicago, Joel Futterman was influenced both musically and philosophically by Gene Shaw, with whom he worked with and studied for a few years. Futterman was also influenced by Joseph Schwarzbaum, a writer, poet, and philosopher, as well as his brother Ronald. His influences include Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, and Eric Dolphy.
From 1964 to 1969, Joel Futterman played bebop and other forms of jazz in various settings in Chicago. He played with artists affiliated with the AACM, but eventually left Chicago, moving to Virginia Beach in 1972. His first album, Cafeteria, was released in 1979. Since then, Futterman's recordings have included Jimmy Lyons, Richard Davis, and Hal Russell. In the 1980s he released several albums of material on his own label, JDF. After Lyons's death in 1986, Futterman quit working professionally for a time; some of their performances together were reissued in the 1990s.
Joel eventually returned to active performance. Some of his older material was reissued on Ear-Rational, Konnex Records, Bellaphon Records and Silkheart Records around this time. In 1994 Joel Futterman met Kidd Jordan, who introduced him to Alvin Fielder, and this trio has performed and recorded together for years. Also, Joel Futterman has performed with Greg Foster, Paul Murphy, Joseph Jarman, Jay Oliver, Ike Levin, and William Parker. Labels that have released his music include JDF, Silkheart, Charles Lester Music, and others.
Futterman is the author of three books.

Discography

As leader

Pathways 2017 Joel Futterman
Live In Chicago 2017 Joel Futterman Ike Levin
Masters In Improvisation Kidd Jordan Joel Futterman Alvin Fielder Steve Swell 2017
Transformation Joel Futterman Avreeayl Ra 2018
Timeless Memories Joel Futterman Ike Levin Tim Duroche 2018
Intervals Joel Futterman 2019
INTERVALS 2 Joel Futterman 2019
SPIRITS Kidd Jordan Joel Futterman Alvin Fielder Recorded 1997 Released on Silkheart 2020
TRIBUTE TO ALVIN FIELDER VISION FESTIVAL XXlV KIDD JORDAN JOEL FUTTERMAN WILLIAM PARKER HAMID DRAKE 2020

Books

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