Jazz Articles about Alton Merrell

About Alton Merrell

Album Review

Darryl Alexander: Morning Calls

Read "Morning Calls" reviewed by La-Faithia White

by La-Faithia White
May 25, 2026

Jazz artist, producer, and composer Darryl Alexander Sr. began developing his skills as a musician in his school band playing trombone, tuba, and drums. Alexander began his recording career with his debut release titled Coast to Coast (1992) followed by 17th Street (1995), both on the Prestige jazz label. “Writing Our Story" opens with a slow, reflective tenor saxophone melody from Jeff Kashiwa. As Ken Karsh enters on rhythm guitar, the composition begins to unfold with a sense ...

Album Review

Jason Kush: Finally Friday

Read "Finally Friday" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
May 15, 2023

Simply narrating the resume of saxophonist/educator/writer/composer Jason Kush would require more space than is usually devoted to an entire review. For someone his age--or even someone older--Kush, currently an associate professor at Slippery Rock (PA) University, has had an exceptionally wide and productive career as a performer, teacher and author in a multitude of genres in the U.S. and around the world. What matters here, of course, is how well Kush fares on Finally Friday, the third ...