“Sullivan’s fluent phraseology is wrapped into a full-bodied sound amid his cunning improvisational segments while the rhythm section sizzles.”
— All About Jazz
Travis Sullivan presents original contemporary jazz rooted in post-bop and the exploratory traditions of artists such as Wayne Shorter, Eric Dolphy, and Ornette Coleman. An alto saxophonist, pianist, and composer, Sullivan combines strong melodic writing, rhythmic invention, and open-ended improvisation—moving from hard-driving grooves and odd meters to blues, ballads, and spacious, exploratory territory.
Sullivan’s musical identity is shaped from both the saxophone and the piano. His playing and composing draw from the lyricism, harmonic openness, and improvisational freedom of artists including Keith Jarrett and Hermeto Pascoal. His compositions often function like short stories: each creates its own musical world while leaving enough freedom for the musicians to reshape the written material in real time.
Sullivan has been developing this music in small ensembles for more than 25 years. His recordings include As We Speak (2000), New Directions (Posi-Tone, 2011), Outside on the Inside (2021) Stimulus (2022). His 2026 release Existential Treat features vocalist Tamuz Nissim, guitarist Giorgos Nazos, bassist Bryan Copeland, and drummer Joe Abba in six original compositions spanning post-bop, blues, odd-meter grooves, lyrical writing, and freer interaction, with Sullivan performing on both alto saxophone and piano.
Beyond his small-group work, Sullivan is the founder, composer/arranger, and leader of Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra. His music has been presented internationally with the Cologne Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Reykjavik Big Band, and Sicilian Jazz Orchestra, and at festivals including South Korea’s Jarasum Jazz Festival and the Montreal International Jazz Festival, where he led the Bjorkestra before an audience of more than 25,000.
Whether leading from the alto saxophone or the piano, Sullivan uses composition as a point of departure rather than a fixed destination. The result is contemporary jazz that is melodic and sophisticated, adventurous without being inaccessible, and spontaneous enough that each performance can become something different.
Available configurations: Trio • Quartet • Quintet
Best suited for: Jazz clubs • Performing arts venues • Festivals • Concert series • Universities • Workshops
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