NEWS

Last.fm Interview and Performances:
View here

Jazziz Album Review:
Read full review

JazzTimes Album Review:
Read full review

NPR syndicated show “Song Travels” interview/performance with host Michael Feinstein airing week of June 17th:
www.npr.org/2014/06/23/323996364/sean-sullivan-on-song-travels

Yahoo!Music Song Premiere of my version of Marley’s “Waiting In Vain” on “Hereafter”: music.yahoo.com/news/get-that-irie-feeling-with-exclusive-song-premiere-from-jazzy-singer-songwriter-sean-sullivan-185214321.html

iTunes Album Review:
Read full review

Utne Reader “Ready” Song Premiere:
www.utne.com/arts/song-premiere-sean-sullivan-ready.aspx
 

JazzWax Album Review:
Read full review

BLOOMBERG TV INTERVIEW:                                           www.bloomberg.com/video/setting-the-musical-mood-for-valentine-s-day

 

ProSound News:
Album Review (pdf)

ArtistDirect:
Read full review

 

Helmed by veteran producer Matt Pierson, recorded at legendary Sear Sound, and supported by a host of consummate musicians, HEREAFTER contains eight originals and four covers infused with a bluesy, earthy vibe that alternately soothes and sermonizes with a side of wry gravy and a proper dollop of Big Easy-style funk. Meditative moments include “Wash My Soul”, an elegy to the sea, “Wandering Home”, an allegorical tale of self-discovery, and the healing simplicity of “Only Love”. On the flipside the BBQ blazes with fat-poppin’ foot-stompers like “God Is In The Blues”, “Ready”, and the folksy funk of title track “Hereafter”, that opens with “Well I dreamed I went to heaven to my final resting place, I found Jesus on the saxophone and God was thumpin’ bass”. Lowdown noiresque minor-key blues “A Man’s Woman” fogs up the mirror while “Don’t Get Me Started” confesses an unstoppable jones for making music that calls to mind the groovy soul of Marvin Gaye. Cover-wise, inventive ballad versions of Bob Marley’s “Waiting in Vain” and Stevie Wonder’s “Until You Come Back To Me” are standouts, as well as knowing nods to Michael Franks’ “Jive”, and mentor Jon Hendricks’ comic ode to oenophiles “Gimme That Wine”.

HEREAFTER features a killer band comprised of Kevin Hays (piano/keyboards), Steve Cardenas (guitar), Tony Scherr (bass), Kenny Wollesen (drums), Seamus Blake (sax), Andy Snitzer (sax), Bashiri Johnson (percussion), Ray Angry (Hammond organ), David Mann (keyboard/flute) and Shayna Steele (background vocals).

QUOTES

Sean Sullivan’s soulful, sensuous voice shine’s on HEREAFTER, a playful genre-hopping romp… the singer and songwriter variously invokes the slow-burning blues-rock of Eric Clapton; the folk-soul of Amos Lee or Ray Lamontagne; and the strutting jazz swagger of his hero, Jon Hendricks.”
– JONATHAN WIDRAN- JAZZIZ MAGAZINE

“Amid all the well-deserved hoopla for Gregory Porter and Cecile Mclorin Salvant, there’s another new(ish) vocalist, equally deserving of huzzahs, who remains too far under the radar. He is Sean Sullivan…with a dynamic sound that suggests James Taylor meets Boz Scaggs by way of Al Jarreau.” … “There’s a lot of Porter in Sullivan too, not stylistically but with regard to attitude: that same mesmerizing sense of soul-deep sincerity and guileless charm”…”expansive palette” … “demonstrating poetic flair worthy of Taylor or Porter”….”The most persistent theme, befitting so devout an up-and-comer is music as spiritual quest, addressed in both the title track with its jazz-filled heaven and more earthily in the blistering “God is in the Blues”.”
-CHRISTOPHER LOUDON- JAZZTIMES MAGAZINE

“HEREAFTER is the sweet spot between jazz, soul, rock, and Americana, and recalls the recordings of Boz Scaggs and Al Jarreau.”
-BRIAN MANSFIELD- USA TODAY

“Taking on the task of covering one of the greatest singer-songwriters in history is one that has proved daunting to many musicians…but Sean Sullivan is one who’s up to the task. Having grown up with a completely eclectic blend of influences, Sullivan is comfortable with everything from jazz to pop to blues to Latin music, which makes it no surprise he’s able to cover no less than the late, great Bob Marley with ease.”
-WENDY GELLER- YAHOO MUSIC

“Dig Boz Scaggs’ jazzy, soulful vocal sound and Jon Hendricks’ smooth hip tone? Push them together and you get vocalist Sean Sullivan…. Sullivan has plenty of earthiness in his background and fine jazz phrasing. His voice can ache like a soprano sax, but Sullivan also knows how to swing a tune.”
-MARC MYERS- JAZZWAX.COM

“Eight excellent originals…four interesting covers….just as stylists like Cassandra Wilson or Gregory Porter have done well in this fluid jazz-blues-R&B-pop vein, Sullivan has the warm voice and music skill to excel in it now, and he’s got a bright future ahead of him.
-TAD HENDRICKSON- ITUNES

“At every turn, HEREAFTER is marked by the sheer eclecticism that the southern-born, Tribeca-based singer/songwriter brings to the table in all aspects of his performance”.…”the kind of free spirit and engaging sense of humor that Sullivan brings to all of his work, alongside his strong-yet-nimble vocal presence”…”Sullivan’s jazz influences come through in his fluid phrasing, tonal precision and ability to push a big, swinging band forward with every line…”also shows off Sullivan’s strength as a thoroughly passionate interpreter of tunes”….”Overall, the album is a joyful romp that is by no means short on serious talent-and it’s clear that the singer is having just as much fun as his listeners.”
-SAM SPOKONY- THE VILLAGER

“Sean Sullivan is a musician’s musician, a consummate student of the art form itself.”
-KEVIN KORBER- ELMORE MAGAZINE

“On his new record HEREAFTER, New Yorker Sean Sullivan serves up an intense stew of eclectic tunes, tinged with just the right amount of jazz, blues, soul, and Americana. Sullivan’s vocal delivery is passionate and soulful whether he is singing a soft jazzy ballad or more bluesy, rocking tune.”
-JAQUES SONYIEUX- PROSOUND NEWS MAGAZINE

“Sean Sullivan’s voice is seductively gentle. He’s a singer-songwriter who surrounded himself with fine session musicians for tracks that are variously jazzy or bluesy or  roots-oriented or just smooth without ever challenging the listener or harshing your buzz. A good choice for a palate cleanser or when you want to slow things down and soothe jangled nerves..”
–GERALD ETKIND- WYCE JAZZ MUSIC JOURNAL

He has a true gift for writing. The lyrics seem to come to him naturally.”
— DAVID “FATHEAD” NEWMAN (saxophonist)

“You are jazz!”
— WYNTON MARSALIS (trumpeter)

“Anybody interested in real jazz singing, go see this cat!”
—JON HENDRICKS, (vocals)