Sullivan Fortner with Cécile McLorin Salvant and Ambrose Akinmusire

Cécile McLorin Salvant, born in Miami, is celebrated for her emotive voice and jazz virtuosity. She won the 2010 Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocal Competition and has earned multiple Grammys with albums like "For One to Love" and "The Window." Known for blending classic jazz with blues and European traditions, she collaborates with artists like Aaron Diehl and Sullivan Fortner. Her albums frequently top jazz charts, showcasing bold covers and intimate originals.

New Orleans-born pianist Sullivan Fortner, based in NYC, is renowned for sophisticated post-bop jazz. He won the Cole Porter Fellowship and released acclaimed works like "Aria" and "Moments Preserved." Fortner collaborated with artists such as Cécile McLorin Salvant, Paul Simon, and Kurt Elling, and is celebrated for his lyrical piano style and work with jazz icons like Roy Hargrove.

Born in Oakland, California, Ambrose Akinmusire is a jazz trumpeter known for his bold approach, blending post-bop, funk, and free jazz. He gained attention with 2008's Prelude to Cora and his acclaimed 2011 Blue Note debut, When the Heart Emerges Glistening. Collaborating with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Becca Stevens, Akinmusire won major competitions and worked with legends like Steve Coleman. His work includes Origami Harvest with Mivos Quartet and recent collaborations with guitarist Bill Frisell. Notable for exploring the Black experience in jazz, he has a master's from USC.