The Sultan Stevenson Trio perform in Navan and Dublin on 6 and 8 of March and The Brilliant Corners Jazz Festival in Belfast on 7 March. We asked Sultan the BIG questions . . .
Still only 24, London-based Sultan has played sold-out shows around London and the south of England and toured Ireland in October 2023.
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
He is a product of both Tomorrow's Warriors and the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy and is influenced by the work of many of the greats of the jazz piano, including McCoy Tyner, Geri Allen, Herbie Hancock and Kenny Kirkland.
Sultan’s debut album, Faithful One. helped to earn him a Parliamentary Jazz Award in 2023 for best newcomer. Now signed to Edition Records, he will release his new album, El Roi, in March.
The Sultan Stevenson Trio, which is Sultan on piano, Jacob Gryn on bass, and Joel Waters on rums, play the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan on the 6 March. Tickets Priced €18 - €22 from The Solstice. The Brilliant Corners Jazz Festival, Belfast, 7 March 8:30. Tickets Priced £15.00. St. Anne’s Church, Dublin, 8 March 7:30pm. Tickets Priced €22 + fees available here.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I originally wanted to play saxophone growing up but my local school didn’t have any, so I was forced to play piano but after seven mins of my first piano lesson fell in love with the piano.
My parents both derive their heritage from a small island in the Caribbean called Barbados. My music takes inspiration from the sense of joy and community that is integral to the culture.
Ireland and Dublin specifically will always have a special place in my heart as it’s the first place my trio played abroad. It means so much that we’re coming back just shy of two years.
How would you describe your music?
Jazz music inspired by the piano masters that have come before me, namely McCoy Tyner, Ahmad Jamal, Geri Allen. Also, music that incorporates the black Pentecostal church experience.
Who are your musical inspirations?
McCoy Tyner for his energy and cutting edge approach to harmony and comping. Ahmad Jamal for his use of space, the way he generously gives to his band mates. Geri Allen for her composition, she like Ahmad gave generous space to her bandmates.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
My father doesn’t play music but used to run a jazz radio station in my parents’ home in Barbados and naturally amounted numerous CDs. So, my up brining was very rich, from a very young age, I’d accompany my father to jazz gigs, and I heard music in the house all the time. I don’t know the very first jazz gig but the first one I remember is going to Harry Beckett play live at The Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham. I loved it! Seeing the musicians have a musical conversation.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Transition by John Coltrane and it was almost life affirming. The conviction that Coltrane played with really impacted me! I could hear the music had far more going on than what was presented on surface level.
What’s your favourite song right now?
The Breakthrough by Tia Fuller.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Too young to go steady".
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
All Blues by Miles Davis.
Where can people find your music/more information?
On Bandcamp as well as all streaming platforms. I have a new album coming out on 28 March 28th called El Roi and you can pre order that on Bandcamp!!
Alan Corr
.svg)