Alton Merrell

Dr. Alton Merrell is an internationally acclaimed pianist, Hammond B-3 organist, composer, and educator. He has performed and taught throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and parts of the Caribbean.

Merrell’s artistry blends lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and fluid technique, spanning jazz, gospel, classical, pop, and rhythm and blues.  Whether performing his own compositions or commissioned to celebrate the music of legendary artists, Merrell’s rich musical interpretations take listeners on spirit-filled excursions that deeply touch the soul.

Merrell is a sought-after pianist who has performed with legendary jazz artists, including Antonio Hart, Tia Fuller, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Roger Humphries, Sean Jones, Hubert Laws and Delfeayo Marsalis.  He also shared the stage with Christian McBride, Jimmy Owens, Rufus Reid, Jim Snidero, Sachal Vasandani, Kim Nazarian, Kenny Washington, and Jeff “Tain” Watts, and regularly collaborates with Pittsburgh’s leading jazz artists.

Merrell is a current member of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra and has performed multiple times with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Cleveland State Jazz Heritage Orchestra, Pittsburgh Concert Chorale, YSU All-Star Alumni Jazz Ensemble and Warren Philharmonic Orchestra.

Merrell is a composer of illustrious works in gospel jazz and has performed with nationally known Gospel/Christian artists, some of whom include Kim Burrell, David and Nicole Binion, Morris Chapman, Maurette Brown Clark, Darwin Hobbs, Israel Houghton and Donnie McClurkin.  He also shared the stage with Doe Jones, Martha Munizzi, Dorothy Norwood, LaShunn Pace, Alvin Slaughter, Parkes Stewart, and the late Rev. Timothy Wright. He also has been featured several times on the nationally televised Bobby Jones Gospel Show and has served as orchestrator and music director of several productions and oratorios that incorporated several musical genres including Gospel, Broadway, Latin Brazilian, Neo-Classical, Caribbean, World Music, among others.

Merrell leads his own jazz group, “The Alton Merrell Trio” and has a reputation of sharing “spirit-filled jazz for the soul.”  His latest acclaimed release, “Withholding Nothing” was released on the Grammy award-winning MCGJazz label, distributed worldwide. 

Merrell is the author of five instructional books with companion online courses, including 30 Modern Bebop Licks: 30 Exercises to Help You Master Bebop Improvisation, Music Theory for the Improvising Musician, and The Complete Piano Technique Course: Book 1, 2 and 3.

Merrell earned his Ph.D. in Jazz Studies from the University of Pittsburgh focusing on jazz piano performance and pedagogy. His dissertation, The Life and Music of McCoy Tyner: An Examination of the Sociocultural Influences on McCoy Tyner and His Music, explored the cultural and social contexts that shaped Tyner’s work. From Youngstown State University, Alton earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Classical Piano Performance, graduating Cum Laude, and a Master of Music in Jazz Piano Performance.

Currently the lead teacher at his school Minstrel School of Music, and Adjunct Professor of Music and Jazz Piano at Duquesne University and Community College of Allegheny County, Merrell is the former Professor of Jazz Piano  and Director of Jazz and Commercial Music at West Virginia University and Youngstown State University, and has previously taught at the University of Pittsburgh. Merrell has taught students all over the world and continues to train musicians worldwide through his online school Minstrel School of Music.

Whether performing or teaching, Merrell incorporates diverse musical styles in his repertoire to inspire and uplift audiences worldwide with music that communicates love, hope, and healing.

• Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
• M.M., Youngstown State University
• B.M., Youngstown State University

• Jazz & Gospel Piano Performance
• Improvisation
• The Life and Musical Style of McCoy Tyner
• Music Theroy and Musicianship Skills
• Jazz Pedagogy