‘FOR LES’
JOE ALTERMAN and ADAM DORN
Partnered musically for the first official time, Joe Alterman and Adam Dorn (AKA Mocean Worker) present ‘For Les,’ a deluxe experience for the ages. Recorded separately and built through master production, this album emulates a real live performance and aims to infuse known styles with a fresh sound. Alterman and Dorn lovingly add their personal relationship with legendary Les McCann into this piece with the inclusion of his style, compositions and personal messages.
about JOE:
Atlanta native Joe Alterman expresses a certain upbeat naiveté, with a broad smile and bright eyes that make you feel welcome…
At first glance one might not guess that this is a man hailed by greats; Ramsey Lewis describes his music as "happy music with tasty meat on the bones," Les McCann states "Joe's on a 'blow your mind' level," and Ahmad Jamal calls him "a very special artist." Journalist Nat Hentoff championed three of Alterman’s albums, as well as his writing (Joe wrote liner notes to three Wynton Marsalis/JLCO albums), calling one of Joe’s columns “one of the very best pieces on the essence of jazz, the spirit of jazz, that I’ve ever read, and I’m not exaggerating.”
Joe Alterman began at NYU with a BA and Masters in Jazz Piano from NYU and has since performed at many world renowned venues including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Birdland and Blue Note alongside Houston Person, Les McCann, Dick Gregory, Ramsey Lewis, and his own trio, among others. Downbeat describes his sound as “rooted in the blues, and with a touch reminiscent of the great pianists of the 1950s—Red Garland, Ahmad Jamal, Bill Evans.” It is clear Joe hits all of the necessary points for Jazz critics and fans alike.
about ADAM:
Producer, Recording Artist and Bassist Adam Dorn aka Mocean Worker has worked in and around jazz for 3 plus decades. As the artist Mocean Worker, Adam has always focused on bringing jazz music to people who thought they didn’t like jazz. “Jazz can be intellectual AND fun at the same time. Everybody is invited to be part of the “In Crowd” in my book”. As Mocean Worker Adam has collaborated with such greats as Marcus Miller, Bill Frisell , Laurie Anderson , Charlie Hunter and Jane Monheit to name a few.
“For Les” came together as a result of Adam and Joe bonding after the passing of their dear friend Les McCann. Both Adam and Joe shared a rich history with Les and collaborated with him. Adam on bass starting at age 18 (in 1989) and Joe on piano starting in 2012. This project is a loving tribute to a dear friend, collaborator and a titan of a musician. Les always brought the party to the club and that’s what’s about to happen again with this project.
