Joel Futterman
Joel Futterman (born April 30, 1946 in Chicago) is an American jazz pianist and curved 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. During this period he had a chance to play with Rahssan Roland Kirk. 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 Records, Charles Lester Music, and others.
Futterman is the author of three books.
Discography
- Cafeteria (1979)
- The End Is the Beginning ; Robert Adkins, drums (1980)
- In-Between Position(s) Jimmy Lyons, Robert Adkins (1982)
- Passage Karen Borca, Derwin Holder, Robert Adkins (1984)
- Inneraction Jimmy Lyons, Richard Davis, Robert Adkins (1984)
- Inner Conversations Jimmy Lyons, Richard Davis, Robert Adkins (1984)
- Moments Jimmy Lyons, Karen Borca, Robert Adkins (1985)
- Vision in Time Richard Davis, Joseph Jarman, and Robert Adkins (1988)
- Inner Conversations Jimmy Lyons, Richard Davis, Robert Adkins (1990)
- Naked Colours Hal Russell, Jay Oliver, Robert Adkins (1990)
- Berlin Images Raphe Malik, Robert Adkins (1991)
- To the Edge Raphe Malik, Robert Adkins (1991)
- Silhouettes (1995)
- Love Remembered Kim Russell Siebert (1995)
- Nickelsdorf Konfrontation Kidd Jordan, Alvin Fielder, Mats Gustafson Barry Guy (1995)
- Revelation Kidd Jordan (1995)
- Alabama Greg Foster (1995)
- New Orleans Rising Kidd Jordan, Alvin Fielder, Elton Heron (1996)
- Southern Extreme Kidd Jordan, Alvin Fielder (1997)
- Authenticity William Parker, Jimmy Williams (1998)
- Relativity Jimmy Williams (1998)
- Intercoastal Blues Bruce Hyman (1998)
- Who Are You (1999)
- New Orleans Festival Suite Kidd Jordan, William Parker, Alvin Fielder (1999)
- Paul Murphy/ Quartet Paul Murphy, Vattel Cherry, Jimmy Williams (2000)
- As of Now Jimmy Williams (2000)
- Interview Ike Levin, Randall Hunt (2000)
- Sweet Silence Kim Russell Siebert, Kidd Jordan (2000)
- Live at Tampere Kidd Jordan, Alvin Fielder (2000)
- The Present Gift with Ike Levin (2001)
- Lifeline Ike Levin, Kash Killion (2001)
- Live at Noe Valley Ike Levin, Kash Killion (2002)
- Dyami Jimmy Williams, Vasip Simmons (2002)
- Enarre Paul Murphy, Kash Killion (2002)
- Prayer for Peace Anthony Mirabile (2003)
- Resolving Doors Ike Levin, Alvin Fielder (2005)
- Coherence Benji Tomassetti (2006)
- Enigma Ike Levin, Benji Tomassetti (2006)
- Live at the Blue Monk Ike Levin, Alvin Fielder (2006)
- Possibilities (2006)
- Athena Greg Foster (2007)
- Breakaway Paul Murphy, Jere Carroll (2007)
- Live in Baltimore Ike Levin (2007)
- Traveling Through Now Ike Levin, Alvin Fielder (2008)
- Creation Volume 1 (2008)
- Creation Volume 2 (2008)
- Creation Volume 3 (2008)
- Creation Volume 4 (2008)
- Creation Volume 5 (2008)
- Existence (2008)
- Blues Here and Now (2008)
- On the Blink of a Precipice Derwyn Holder (2008)
- Spectrum (2008)
- Transcending to Relaxation (2009)
- Journey in the Now (2009)
- Transition Volume 2 DVD (2009)
- Transition Volume 2 CD (2009)
- Transition Volume 1 DVD (2009)
- Transition Volume 1 CD (2009)
- Interaction Kidd Jordan (2009)
- Celebration Ike Levin (2009)
- Dialogues and Connections Ike Levin (2010)
- Albert's Bells (2010)
- Remembering Dolphy (2010)
- Perception (2011)
- The Fall (2011)
- Live at the Guelph Jazz Festival (2011) Kidd Jordan, William Parker, Alvin Fielder (2011)
- Blues for My Brother (2012)
- Interinfinity Alvin Fielder (2013)
- Through the Mirror Ike Levin, Alvin Fielder (2014)
- Reflection 1 Reflection 11 (2015)
Books
- Creative Patterns JDF Productions (1973)
- The Design JDF Productions (2010)
- The Question JDF Productions (2015)
References
- Steve Huey, Joel Futterman at Allmusic
- Gary W. Kennedy, "Joel Futterman". Grove Jazz online.