@joealterman.bsky.social
Without music, life would be a mistake. And without support, the arts can’t survive.
The National Endowment for the Arts is being quietly gutted—grants that were already awarded are now being rescinded. #SaveTheNEA #SupportTheArts
The National Endowment for the Arts is being quietly gutted—grants that were already awarded are now being rescinded. #SaveTheNEA #SupportTheArts
May 13, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Without music, life would be a mistake. And without support, the arts can’t survive.
The National Endowment for the Arts is being quietly gutted—grants that were already awarded are now being rescinded. #SaveTheNEA #SupportTheArts
The National Endowment for the Arts is being quietly gutted—grants that were already awarded are now being rescinded. #SaveTheNEA #SupportTheArts
Two stories I’ll never forget—one with Donald Fagen, the other with Harold Mabern.
New Substack essay is up now. It’s about humility, honesty, and the spark that keeps artists going—even after decades of success. Hope you enjoy!
open.substack.com/pub/joealter...
New Substack essay is up now. It’s about humility, honesty, and the spark that keeps artists going—even after decades of success. Hope you enjoy!
open.substack.com/pub/joealter...
April 11, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Two stories I’ll never forget—one with Donald Fagen, the other with Harold Mabern.
New Substack essay is up now. It’s about humility, honesty, and the spark that keeps artists going—even after decades of success. Hope you enjoy!
open.substack.com/pub/joealter...
New Substack essay is up now. It’s about humility, honesty, and the spark that keeps artists going—even after decades of success. Hope you enjoy!
open.substack.com/pub/joealter...
Reposted
Herbie laughing with Stevie on the mic
February 3, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Herbie laughing with Stevie on the mic
One week until the release of the next single from my upcoming live album with the legendary & incredible Houston Person! In the meantime, I hope you’ve been enjoying our latest single, ‘You Are My Sunshine.’ Stay tuned for more music coming your way!
📸 Anna Yatskevich
📸 Anna Yatskevich
January 15, 2025 at 2:03 AM
One week until the release of the next single from my upcoming live album with the legendary & incredible Houston Person! In the meantime, I hope you’ve been enjoying our latest single, ‘You Are My Sunshine.’ Stay tuned for more music coming your way!
📸 Anna Yatskevich
📸 Anna Yatskevich
Huge thanks to David Adler and @jazztimes.bsky.social for publishing this special piece I wrote in memory of the incredible #AhmadJamal and the many life-changing lessons he taught me.
jazztimes.com/features/tri...
jazztimes.com/features/tri...
What Ahmad Jamal Taught - JazzTimes
Editor’s note: This moving tribute to Ahmad Jamal, by pianist and Atlanta, Georgia native Joe Alterman, was written after Jamal’s death in 2023 and has … Read More "What Ahmad Jamal Taught"
jazztimes.com
January 7, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Huge thanks to David Adler and @jazztimes.bsky.social for publishing this special piece I wrote in memory of the incredible #AhmadJamal and the many life-changing lessons he taught me.
jazztimes.com/features/tri...
jazztimes.com/features/tri...
One year ago today, Les McCann passed away. Today, Jimmy Carter did.
It now feels surreal to look at this photo of these two giants—each leaving behind a legacy of love, courage, and change in their own unique way.
Rest in peace to two legends 🙏
#lesmccann #jimmycarter
It now feels surreal to look at this photo of these two giants—each leaving behind a legacy of love, courage, and change in their own unique way.
Rest in peace to two legends 🙏
#lesmccann #jimmycarter
December 30, 2024 at 4:53 AM
One year ago today, Les McCann passed away. Today, Jimmy Carter did.
It now feels surreal to look at this photo of these two giants—each leaving behind a legacy of love, courage, and change in their own unique way.
Rest in peace to two legends 🙏
#lesmccann #jimmycarter
It now feels surreal to look at this photo of these two giants—each leaving behind a legacy of love, courage, and change in their own unique way.
Rest in peace to two legends 🙏
#lesmccann #jimmycarter
🤣🤣
December 15, 2024 at 9:51 PM
🤣🤣
The cure for having the blues? Playing more blues, of course! Feeling those Sunday blues? Here’s hoping there’s blues turn those blues around!
From last Sunday at the Boulder JCC with the great team of bassist Brendan O'Donoghue and drummer Andreas Schmid.
From last Sunday at the Boulder JCC with the great team of bassist Brendan O'Donoghue and drummer Andreas Schmid.
December 15, 2024 at 7:56 PM
The cure for having the blues? Playing more blues, of course! Feeling those Sunday blues? Here’s hoping there’s blues turn those blues around!
From last Sunday at the Boulder JCC with the great team of bassist Brendan O'Donoghue and drummer Andreas Schmid.
From last Sunday at the Boulder JCC with the great team of bassist Brendan O'Donoghue and drummer Andreas Schmid.
Such a beautiful, tasty album. Highly recommended!
The Year In Jazz 2024: Bill Charlap Trio "And Then Again" billcharlap.lnk.to/AndThenAgain
A stellar live recording that captures the pianist's longtime trio with bassist Peter Washington & drummer Kenny Washington on an inspired Saturday night at the Village Vanguard in New York City.
A stellar live recording that captures the pianist's longtime trio with bassist Peter Washington & drummer Kenny Washington on an inspired Saturday night at the Village Vanguard in New York City.
December 15, 2024 at 4:35 PM
Such a beautiful, tasty album. Highly recommended!
Reposted
Barry Harris, #BOTD in 1929. Mr. @markstryker.bsky.social knows Harris's music well, and has supplied a marvelous playlist of beautiful Barry. iverson.substack.com/p/tt-467-mar...
TT 467: Mark Stryker's Barry Harris Playlist
The Detroit piano giant would have been 95 today (guest post from Mark Stryker)
iverson.substack.com
December 15, 2024 at 2:58 PM
Barry Harris, #BOTD in 1929. Mr. @markstryker.bsky.social knows Harris's music well, and has supplied a marvelous playlist of beautiful Barry. iverson.substack.com/p/tt-467-mar...
Happy 99th Birthday Dick Van Dyke! The Dick Van Dyke Show is my all-time favorite and just as hilarious today as when it first aired. Here’s a favorite scene showcasing the incredible chemistry between Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore. Watch their charming dance—don’t miss the surprise ending!
The Dick Van Dyke Show - You Wonderful You (LYRICS)
YouTube video by Heaven
youtu.be
December 13, 2024 at 2:51 PM
Happy 99th Birthday Dick Van Dyke! The Dick Van Dyke Show is my all-time favorite and just as hilarious today as when it first aired. Here’s a favorite scene showcasing the incredible chemistry between Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore. Watch their charming dance—don’t miss the surprise ending!
Here’s perhaps my favorite McCoy Tyner track. I’ve always been surprised at how little attention this track and album seem to get and I want to recommend it to anyone who might not already be familiar. Also, I’m super curious which McCoy tracks/albums you feel are underrated too! #mccoytyner
Crescent - Live At Village Vanguard /1997
McCoy Tyner · Plays John Coltrane: Live At The Village Vanguard · Song · 2001
open.spotify.com
December 12, 2024 at 6:19 AM
Here’s perhaps my favorite McCoy Tyner track. I’ve always been surprised at how little attention this track and album seem to get and I want to recommend it to anyone who might not already be familiar. Also, I’m super curious which McCoy tracks/albums you feel are underrated too! #mccoytyner
Happy Birthday, McCoy Tyner! During my time as a student intern at the Blue Note while at NYU, I was so lucky to have had many unforgettable encounters with him. Those afternoons spent behind the piano during his soundchecks were pure magic…1/3
December 12, 2024 at 3:12 AM
Happy Birthday, McCoy Tyner! During my time as a student intern at the Blue Note while at NYU, I was so lucky to have had many unforgettable encounters with him. Those afternoons spent behind the piano during his soundchecks were pure magic…1/3
@ethaniversonpiano.bsky.social Hi Ethan, I greatly admire your writing (and your music, of course!), and was pleasently surprised to see you mention Les McCann on a recent Scott Joplin video. You’ve inspired my writing greatly and I so hope you’ll enjoy this when you can 🙏
“It was like having the most beautiful big brother”: Pianist Joe Alterman remembers his friend and mentor Les McCann
Pianist Joe Alterman pays tribute to his friend and mentor, Les McCann, who died on Dec. 29, 2023.
www.wbgo.org
December 7, 2024 at 8:58 PM
@ethaniversonpiano.bsky.social Hi Ethan, I greatly admire your writing (and your music, of course!), and was pleasently surprised to see you mention Les McCann on a recent Scott Joplin video. You’ve inspired my writing greatly and I so hope you’ll enjoy this when you can 🙏
If you only watch one thing this weekend, make it this. This is so beautiful ❤️
Coldplay - ALL MY LOVE (Official Video) (Directors' Cut)
YouTube video by Coldplay
youtu.be
December 7, 2024 at 8:38 PM
If you only watch one thing this weekend, make it this. This is so beautiful ❤️
Throwing it back to an unforgettable birthday concert at Roswell Cultural Arts on 11/16! Sharing the stage with the incredible Ken Peplowski, Toni Byrd, Kevin Smith, and Justin Chesarek made it truly special. Huge thanks to Dani Weiss for capturing these moments from such a memorable night!
December 5, 2024 at 9:35 PM
Throwing it back to an unforgettable birthday concert at Roswell Cultural Arts on 11/16! Sharing the stage with the incredible Ken Peplowski, Toni Byrd, Kevin Smith, and Justin Chesarek made it truly special. Huge thanks to Dani Weiss for capturing these moments from such a memorable night!
Last week, I shared a video of Erroll Garner’s gorgeous composition, ‘Gaslight,’ and mentioned how, despite the success of his song ‘Misty,’ I believe Garner remains underrated as a composer. Today, I’m excited to share another gem from his catalog deserving more recognition: ‘All My Loves Are You.”
“All My Loves Are You”
YouTube video by Joe Alterman
youtube.com
December 5, 2024 at 2:55 AM
Last week, I shared a video of Erroll Garner’s gorgeous composition, ‘Gaslight,’ and mentioned how, despite the success of his song ‘Misty,’ I believe Garner remains underrated as a composer. Today, I’m excited to share another gem from his catalog deserving more recognition: ‘All My Loves Are You.”
This past month has been full of really special performances, including this fun moment @aurora.theatre on November 15th. I’m excited to keep the music going this Friday in Tulsa, Oklahoma @thetulsatreehouse and this Sunday in Boulder, Colorado @boulderjcc!
December 3, 2024 at 1:42 AM
This past month has been full of really special performances, including this fun moment @aurora.theatre on November 15th. I’m excited to keep the music going this Friday in Tulsa, Oklahoma @thetulsatreehouse and this Sunday in Boulder, Colorado @boulderjcc!
Here’s a picture of Dick Cavett and me holding a picture of Dick Cavett and me holding a picture of Dick Cavett and me! Happy Thanksgiving from Dick Cavett and me!
#dickcavett #me
#dickcavett #me
November 30, 2024 at 4:36 PM
Here’s a picture of Dick Cavett and me holding a picture of Dick Cavett and me holding a picture of Dick Cavett and me! Happy Thanksgiving from Dick Cavett and me!
#dickcavett #me
#dickcavett #me
Last week at All Saints Atlanta was truly unforgettable! It was such a joy to perform in that stunning setting for such a great audience alongside the phenomenal Kevin Smith & the legendary Terreon Gully. An uplifting evening I’ll always treasure, lots to be thankful for!
📸 @dustchambers
📸 @dustchambers
November 28, 2024 at 5:37 PM
Last week at All Saints Atlanta was truly unforgettable! It was such a joy to perform in that stunning setting for such a great audience alongside the phenomenal Kevin Smith & the legendary Terreon Gully. An uplifting evening I’ll always treasure, lots to be thankful for!
📸 @dustchambers
📸 @dustchambers
Reposted
Orcas have started wearing dead salmon as hats again, just fyi
www.iflscience.com/wearing-a-sa...
www.iflscience.com/wearing-a-sa...
Wearing A Salmon On Your Head Is Back In Fashion For Orcas, After A 37-Year Break
In 1987, there was a strange trend amongst killer whales. Recent sightings show it's back in fashion.
www.iflscience.com
November 27, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Orcas have started wearing dead salmon as hats again, just fyi
www.iflscience.com/wearing-a-sa...
www.iflscience.com/wearing-a-sa...
Back with more talkin’ to the camera! Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite quotes about jazz—straight from baseball legend Yogi Berra. Who knew he could sum up jazz so brilliantly (and hilariously)? Fans of Mark Twain’s classic line, “Wagner’s music is better than it sounds,” you’ll love this one!
November 28, 2024 at 1:23 AM
Back with more talkin’ to the camera! Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite quotes about jazz—straight from baseball legend Yogi Berra. Who knew he could sum up jazz so brilliantly (and hilariously)? Fans of Mark Twain’s classic line, “Wagner’s music is better than it sounds,” you’ll love this one!
OTD in 2018, “More Cornbread” was released! This album holds a special place in my heart. It came out shortly after I moved back to Atlanta from NYC, during a time when I was embracing the fact that I’m not a New York jazz pianist but rather a southern one. And this title is my way of saying that.
November 27, 2024 at 8:59 PM
OTD in 2018, “More Cornbread” was released! This album holds a special place in my heart. It came out shortly after I moved back to Atlanta from NYC, during a time when I was embracing the fact that I’m not a New York jazz pianist but rather a southern one. And this title is my way of saying that.
Reposted
Still hard to believe the great Roy Haynes has left us. I know he’s up there playing with Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, & Sarah Vaughan now, and I’m thankful for the time I got to play with him in his band, but I was truly looking forward to seeing and playing with him again. 🕊️🕊️🕊️
November 26, 2024 at 5:07 PM
Still hard to believe the great Roy Haynes has left us. I know he’s up there playing with Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, & Sarah Vaughan now, and I’m thankful for the time I got to play with him in his band, but I was truly looking forward to seeing and playing with him again. 🕊️🕊️🕊️
Yesterday, I wrote about two incredible pieces: Erroll Garner’s rarely heard composition “Gaslight” and Duke Ellington’s “Take Love Easy,” which reminded me of Ellington’s dear friend, legendary journalist Nat Hentoff. Nat coined a phrase I deeply love: “Take it easy, but take it.” 1/2
November 27, 2024 at 2:43 AM
Yesterday, I wrote about two incredible pieces: Erroll Garner’s rarely heard composition “Gaslight” and Duke Ellington’s “Take Love Easy,” which reminded me of Ellington’s dear friend, legendary journalist Nat Hentoff. Nat coined a phrase I deeply love: “Take it easy, but take it.” 1/2