Results for "Alton Merrell"

Musician

Alton Merrell

Dr. Alton Merrell is a world class pianist, composer, and educator based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His musical artistry is a unique blend of lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and fluid technique that spans multiple music genres including jazz, gospel, classical, pop, and rhythm and blues. His music is known to take listeners on spirit-filled excursions that deeply touch the soul. Currently, Dr. Merrell leads his own instrumental jazz group, "The Alton Merrell Quartet," as well as his own gospel jazz vocal group “Dr. Alton Merrell & Impact.” In both groups, Dr. Merrell incorporates diverse musical styles in the repertoire to minister love to people worldwide. Dr

Album

Morning Calls

By Darryl Alexander Sr.

Label: Self Produced
Released: 2026
Track listing: Writing Our Story; featuring Jeff Kashiwa Seen It Before; featuring Jackiem Joyner; Rise Up; Sunset At 7; Didn't See It Coming; Wonders of Your Love; Intrigued; featuring Jeff Kashiwa; High Road; Almost There; Pacific Blue; No Middle Ground.

Article: Album Review

Darryl Alexander: Morning Calls

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 ...

Video

The Most Beautiful Jazz Piano Performance: Alton Merrell

Featuring the music of Alton Merrell
Duration: 04:07
September 28, 2024

Alton Merrell Trio concert, "Withholding Nothing," is a profound musical journey of personal and spiritual surrender, led by the powerful artistry of pianist Alton Merrell. This jazz concert, featuring music from his latest album on the Grammy Award-winning MCG Jazz label, showcases Merrell's dynamic performances and the world-class musicians accompanying him. Blending jazz, gospel, classical, and rhythm and blues, Merrell reimagines classic hymns like “Amazing Grace” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” alongside original compositions such as “Alfred Blues” and “Main Street Rag.” With nods to jazz legends like McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock, Merrell's compositions combine lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and intricate rhythms. The concert's title track, “Withholding Nothing,” arranged by Merrell, holds deep personal significance as it reflects his experience of surrender. Join Merrell on this spirit-filled musical excursion that touches the soul, inviting listeners to embrace the message of surrender and authenticity through a powerful jazz experience.

Album

Finally Friday

By Jason Kush

Label: MCG Jazz
Released: 2023
Track listing: Hasty J; Finally Friday; Slipping Through the Cracks; With Thoughts of Agnes; Asked and Answered; Easy Going; Soledad del Otono; Razor Burn.

Article: Album Review

Jason Kush: Finally Friday

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 ...

Article: Album Review

James Johnson III: Full Circle

by Mackenzie Horne
December 3, 2018

Pittsburgh drummer James Johnson III has spent the past several years developing his songwriting style—the results of that development can be heard at length on the drummer's sophomore solo record, Full Circle. Full Circle is not only more subdued than 2014's Between ( James Johnson III), but it is also more stylistically uniform. This record is ...

Article: Live Review

The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra at Greer Cabaret Theater

by Mackenzie Horne
November 15, 2018

Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Greer Cabaret Theater The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's International Festival of Firsts Pittsburgh, PA November 6, 2018 The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra (PJO) rounded out the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's International Festival of Firsts with their concert, titled “Liberation" in tribute to the prolific African American writer, philosopher, and advocate ...

Article: Album Review

Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra: Joyful Jazz

by Jack Bowers
November 5, 2015

One way in which to launch an appraisal of this outstanding seasonal album, the first ever by the world-class Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, is to check out its candid--and uncommonly accurate--title. Joyful? Most definitely. Jazz? Without a doubt. For five years, the orchestra's annual holiday celebration has been a welcome tradition for families in the greater Pittsburgh ...

Album

You're The Reason

By Alton Merrell

Label: Self Produced
Released: 2005
Track listing: You're The Reason; Get Yo Praize On; Peace In Times of Storm; Sambalujah; I Need Thee Every Hour; You and I; Short Story; Total Praise; Song; Transformation; Humility; You're The Reason (Reprise)