Thursday Night Jazz: Alton Merrell Trio Presents the Life & Music of McCoy Tyner

Photo Courtesy: Alton Merrell

This performance from the Alton Merrell Trio explores the life, music, and artistic development of legendary jazz pianist McCoy Tyner. Tyner was a five-time Grammy Award-winning American jazz pianist and composer known best for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet. 

Through historical discussion, musical analysis, and live performance demonstrations, audience members will gain insight into the social, cultural, familial, spiritual, and musical influences that contributed to Tyner’s unique artistic voice and lasting impact on jazz. This lecture-performance draws extensively on the research Dr. Alton Merrell conducted to earn his PhD in Jazz Studies. 

Featured musicians:

Dr. Alton Merrell: piano

Jeff Grubbs: bass

David Throckmorton: drums

About the Artist:

Dr. Alton Merrell is an internationally acclaimed pianist, Hammond B-3 organist, composer, and educator whose artistry blends jazz, gospel, classical, pop, and rhythm and blues. He has performed and taught throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, collaborating with legendary artists including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Benny Golson, Christian McBride, Delfeayo Marsalis, and many others. A member of the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, Merrell has also appeared with major orchestras and ensembles nationwide. A gifted composer and recording artist, he leads The Alton Merrell Trio and released the acclaimed album Withholding Nothing on the Grammy Award–winning MCG Jazz label. Merrell is the lead instructor and founder of the Minstrel School of Music, an innovative global education platform, and serves as an adjunct professor at Duquesne University and the Community College of Allegheny County. He holds a PhD in Jazz Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant, Cucina Alfabeto, is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Please visit OpenTable or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.