Kente Arts Alliance

Merrell is a composer of illustrious works in gospel jazz and regularly performs with local and nationally known Gospel/Christian artists such as Kim Burrell, Donnie McClurkin, David and Nicole Binion. He also has been featured several times on the nationally televised Bobby Jones Gospel Show. For his Kente engagement, he will perform with his own Jazz/Gospel group, IMPACT. 

Kente Arts Alliance kicks off their Summer Madness concert series with Vocalist Anyah Nancy. 
A relative newcomer to the Pittsburgh music scene, Anyah Nancy performed at the 2022 Three Rivers Arts Festival and received glowing reviews.  Heavily influenced by jazz vocalists such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and others, Anyah Nancy and her band infuse classical jazz with modern soul and R&B.

Kente Arts Alliance presents two more blockbuster concerts in its Kente Summer Madness Series. For this concert, Kente has assembled an all-star band of renowned jazz musicians who all hail from states within the tri-state area. This formation will present a rare opportunity for them to play together as the Kente All-Stars I. Each member of the band has spent time leading his own series of groups, and each has a keenly individual sound.

This event is sold out but you can still tune in for the livestream.  

Kente All-Stars II rounds out Kente’s Summer Madness Series and its spotlight on renowned jazz musicians from the region. This all-star formation includes three of Pittsburgh’s most recognized and favored artists: Dwayne Dolphin, bass; Tom Wendt, drums; and Alton Merrill, piano. Joining them as their special guest is alto saxophonist Antonio Hart.