A jazz promoter in Atlanta worked hard to bring these two talented musicians together to perform for the first time.  The seasoned promoter had worked with each artist individually over the last several years and believed they would create something magical if they ever worked together. He identified Karla as the top jazz vocalist in Atlanta with a long resume and history of pleasing audiences.  He saw Joe as a young, very talented and upcoming pianist with an old soul for jazz. It took a while to get them together since both had busy schedules, but once the worked together, it was simply magic and audiences continue to respond to the group.  Both artists continue to maintain their individual careers, but never miss the opportunity to work together when the opportunities are presented.

KARLA HARRIS

KARLA – is currently booked as a 2021 main stage performer for the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Callanwolde Jazz series, the Falany PAC, Siletz Bay Music Festival (Oregon) and the Sandy Springs PAC (2022).  She recently performed for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Nov. 2020) with the Joe Alterman trio presented as part of the Arts Across America live performance series.  Jazz vocalist Karla Harris has made a career within the art form she loves for more than three decades, captivating audiences from Portland to Provence. Her performance credits include events such as the Sarasota Jazz Festival, Portland Jazz Festival, Oregon Coast Jazz Party, Nantucket Arts Festival, Atlanta Jazz Party, and a TED Talk

JOE – Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Alterman moved to New York in the fall of 2007 to study music at New York University, where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music. While there, he had the opportunity to study with greats including Don Friedman, Joe Lovano and John Scofield.

Alterman continues to perform at many world-renowned venues including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Birdland and New York’s Blue Note, where Alterman has opened, many times, for Ramsey Lewis.  Les McCann said of the young Alterman “tiny, but only in stature. As a man and a musician. he is already a giant.”

Alterman has released four critically-acclaimed albums, his most recent being 2018’s “More Cornbread”. He was profiled three times by iconic journalist Nat Hentoff and was the subject of Hentoff’s very last piece on music in March 2016. Dick Cavett has referred to Alterman as “one fine, first class entertainer” and Ramsey Lewis has called Alterman “an inspiration to me” and his piano playing “a joy to behold”.