Celebrate International Jazz Day with two young artists making their mark, a Grammy Award-winning piano virtuoso and a swinging, Juno nominated vocalist.

For the past decade, Sullivan Fortner has been stretching deep-rooted talents as a pianist, composer, band leader, and uncompromising individualist. The Grammy Award-winning artist out of New Orleans received international praise as both key player and producer for his collaborative work with Cécile McLorin Salvant. In addition to associations with such diverse voices as Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Diane Reeves, Etienne Charles, and John Scofield, Fortner’s frequent and longtime collaborators have included Ambrose Akinmusire, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Stefon Harris, Kassa Overall, Tivon Pennicott, Peter Bernstein, Nicholas Payton, Billy Hart, Gary Bartz, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Fred Hersch, and the late Roy Hargrove.

Juno nominated singer-songwriter Barbra Lica is a seasoned act on the North American club and festival circuits. She has performed everywhere, from New York City’s legendary Birdland to festivals around the world, including Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and Tokyo International Jazz Festival, and opened for the likes of Christian McBride, Pat Metheny, Bob Dorough, and Terence Blanchard.