Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Joe Alterman moved to New York in the fall of 2007 to study at New York University, where he earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. There, he had the opportunity to study with Don Friedman, Joe Lovano, and John Scofield. He has headlined at venues around the United States including the Blue Note Jazz Club, The Kennedy Center, Germantown Performing Arts Center, Rialto Center For The Performing Arts, Preservation Hall, Earl Klugh’s Weekend of Jazz, among others; Alterman also headlined New York’s Iridium, the Kitano, 21 Club, Le Cirque, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola and at the Blue Note Jazz Club in Milan, Italy.

Alterman has performed with Les McCann, Houston Person, Tony Middleton and bassist James Cammack, with whom he also works frequently with in a duo setting. His trio has performed for Les McCann, Ramsey Lewis, Philip Bailey (of Earth, Wind & Fire), John Pizzarelli and Hiromi, among others.

Alterman’s debut recording, Georgia Sunset, produced by Houston Person, reached #6 on the JazzWeek radio charts. His second, Comin’ Home to You was released in February. “Joe Alterman, although much younger than I, is an inspiration to me. His piano playing, his will to explore, his ability to swing is something to behold. God Bless Him!” -VWM
This is Joe Alterman’s first appearance at the Litchfield Jazz Festival. He is being joined by Matt Wilson on drums and Avery Sharpe on bass.

This performance is sponsored in part by NEFA