Tim “Sully” Sullivan has worn many different hats in his 25-year career in music and arts education. He remains an active performer, teaching artist, composer and arranger, curriculum writer, program developer, researcher, consultant, administrator, and nonprofit founder.

Recently named a “Rising Star Baritone Saxophonist” in the 2025 Downbeat Critics Poll, Tim is a gifted improviser with a soulful and singular voice on saxophones, flutes, clarinets, whistles, and voice. He has been a top call stage and studio performer for over two decades and performed extensively throughout the U.S. and overseas with artists ranging from Soul Queens Aretha Franklin and Irma Thomas, to over a dozen NEA Jazz Masters including Clark Terry and Jimmy Cobb, to present day rock icons from bands like Bon Iver and Arcade Fire

For as long as he’s been performing, teaching has equally been a source of great meaning and purpose for Tim. In 2009, he accepted a teaching position at Jazz at Lincoln Center, where for over a decade he worked extensively across the full spectrum of JALC education programs including WeBop and Swing University. In 2012, he was awarded a fellowship to attend Teachers College at Columbia University (Ed.M. 2016), where he researched popular music learning, teaching artistry, and curriculum design. The following year, he was hired by the Apollo Theater in Harlem as a lead teaching artist, curriculum writer, and tour guide.

“Sully” returned to New Orleans in 2022, where he started envisioning a conceptual framework for Experiential Arts and Learning, inspired by one of the most artful societies in the world. He is thrilled to call New Orleans home once again and have the opportunity to empower young artists and the communities their artmaking can serve.

He is a graduate of the Jazz Studies programs at Eau Claire Memorial High School (2002), Chicago College of Performing Arts (B.M. 2005), and University of New Orleans (M.M. 2008).