Ira Sullivan

Ira Sullivan (May 1, 1931 – September 21, 2020)

Biography Sullivan was born May 1, 1931, in Washington, D.C. His father taught him to play the trumpet beginning at age 3, and his mother taught him saxophone. He played in 1950s Chicago with such musicians as Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Wardell Gray and Roy Eldridge, gaining a reputation as a fearsome bebop soloist. After playing briefly with Art Blakey in 1956, and mastering alto and baritone saxophone, Sullivan moved south to Florida and out of the spotlight in the early 1960s.

Ira Sullivan's musical signature was "Amazing Grace", the tune with which he closed every performance for decades. In the week following Sullivan's death, the jazz community produced a Love Letter to Ira Sullivan, a compilation of more than 40 performances of "Amazing Grace".

Discography As leader Blue Stroll (Delmark, 1961) Bird Lives! (Vee-Jay, 1963) Horizons (Atlantic, 1967) Nicky's Tune (Delmark, 1970) Ira Sullivan (Horizon, 1976) Ira Sullivan (Flying Fish, 1978) Peace (Galaxy, 1978) The Incredible Ira Sullivan (Stash, 1980) Multimedia (Galaxy, 1982) Ira Sullivan Does It All (Muse, 1983) Strings Attached (Pausa, 1983) The Breeze and I with Joe Diorio (Ram, 1994) After Hours (Go Jazz, 2000) A Family Affair with Stu Katz (Origin, 2011)

As sideman With Art Blakey Originally (Columbia, 1956 ) With Frank Catalano Cut It Out (Delmark, 1997) With Red Garland Red Alert (Galaxy, 1977) With Lin Halliday Delayed Exposure (Delmark, 1991) East of the Sun (Delmark, 1992) With Eddie Harris Come on Down (Atlantic, 1970) With Philly Joe Jones Philly Mignon (Galaxy, 1977) With Roland Kirk Introducing Roland Kirk (Argo, 1960) With Roberto Magris Sun Stone - Roberto Magris Sextet feat. Ira Sullivan (JMood, 2019) With J. R. Monterose J. R. Monterose (Blue Note, 1956) With Rita Reys The Cool Voice of Rita Reys (Columbia, 1956) With Red Rodney Live at the Village Vanguard (Muse, 1980) Hi Jinx at the Vanguard (Muse, 1980 ) Alive in New York (Muse, 1980 ) Night and Day (Muse, 1981) Spirit Within (Musician,1982) With Billy Taylor The Billy Taylor Trio Introduces Ira Sullivan (ABC-Paramount, 1956) With Brad Goode Toy Trumpet (SteepleChase, 2000)