Joe Alterman

Joe Alterman is an Atlanta-born jazz pianist, composer, writer, and cultural curator who radiates the timeless joy of swinging jazz while infusing it with his youthful energy and heartfelt enthusiasm. Praised by legends like Ahmad Jamal as "a very special artist," Les McCann as "tiny but only in stature; as a man and musician, he is already a giant," and Ramsey Lewis as "an inspiration" whose playing is "a joy to behold," Alterman has carved a unique space in the jazz world.

A graduate of New York University with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Jazz Piano Performance, Alterman has performed at iconic venues including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Birdland, and Blue Note, sharing stages with jazz greats like Houston Person, Les McCann, and Ramsey Lewis. Whether leading his trio or captivating audiences solo, his music has been described by Downbeat Magazine as "hard-swinging" and by the late journalist Nat Hentoff as "making people smile and, if the room is right, dance."

With eight critically acclaimed albums to his name, including the 2023 release Joe Alterman Plays Les McCann: Big Mo & Little Joe, Alterman continues to evolve as a recording artist while honoring the roots of jazz. His deep respect for tradition, coupled with his dynamic, swinging style, has made him a favorite among both jazz enthusiasts and casual listeners. As George Benson once told him, “You play good and you sound good, and there’s a difference.” That difference—the ability to channel joy, soul, and connection through every note—is what sets Alterman apart. As Dick Cavett aptly said, “Joe Alterman combines outstanding musical technique with infectious enthusiasm for his work. He fills a room with joy.”

Alterman’s creative reach extends far beyond the piano. As the Executive Director of Neranenah, an Atlanta-based Concert & Culture series, he celebrates Jewish contributions to music and the arts. His talents as a writer have also garnered acclaim—he has penned liner notes for three Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra albums and was the subject of Nat Hentoff’s final piece on music, who described Alterman's essays as "some of the very best on the essence and spirit of jazz."

Whether performing on world-renowned stages, leading cultural initiatives, or writing about the art form he loves, Joe Alterman bridges the past and present of jazz with music that, as Ramsey Lewis put it, is “happy music with tasty meat on the bones.”