Author | Lightnews

joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · May 13

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The National Endowment for the Arts is being quietly gutted—grants that were already awarded are now being rescinded.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

joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Apr 11

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...

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Feb 10

Aw, thank you so much!

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Feb 10

Thank you so much! Truly, thank you for listening and sharing. Your kind words mean a lot!

Reposted

CJ Fogler @cjzero.bsky.social · Feb 3

Herbie laughing with Stevie on the mic

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Jan 15

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

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Jan 7

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...

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

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 30

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

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 15

🤣🤣

George Takei @georgetakei.bsky.social · Dec 15

Perfection.

joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 15

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.

joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 15

Such a beautiful, tasty album. Highly recommended!

Blue Note Records @bluenoterecords.bsky.social · Dec 15

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.

Reposted

Ethan Iverson @ethaniversonpiano.bsky.social · Dec 15

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

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 13

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

joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 13

Wonderful! These are beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 12

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

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 12

Another time he asked me, “You’re a pianist, right?” “Yes,” I replied. He said, “Well, keep with it. Never give up. It’s a life force.”
He was a kind soul, a beacon of wisdom, and a great source of inspiration. Happy Birthday to an extraordinary artist and person! 3/3

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 12

I’ll never forget one day in his dressing room discussing our mutual love for Hank Jones. “He’s got the magic touch,” McCoy said with a smile. Then, as if letting me in on a secret, he added, “Come with me.” We went to the piano, where he played the most stunning Hank Jones impression…2/3

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 12

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

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 8

❤️❤️

joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 8

100%.

joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 7

Thank you for reading it! And for listening to that. I’m so glad you enjoyed those two - it means a lot from you!

joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 7

@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

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 7

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

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joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 5

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!

joealterman.bsky.social @joealterman.bsky.social · Dec 5

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