Dr. Alvin McKinney is a Virtuoso Alto Saxophonist, song writer/composer, arranger, and producer. He attended the University of Memphis, where he studied Classical Saxophone under Professor of Saxophones, Mr. Allen Rippe, graduating in 1989 with a concentration in Saxophone Performance. He went on to study Saxophone Performance under world-renowned Professor of Saxophones, Mr. Donald Sinta, at the University of Michigan Master's Program, where he taught Jazz Styles as a Graduate Assistant under Mr. Ed Sarath. He holds a Masters in Divinity, and a Doctorate in Sacred Music from the Global Evangelical Christian College and Seminary, in Wetumpka, Alabama.
Dr. McKinney taught band and orchestra for 14 years, resigning in 2013 to step out on faith and pursue his lifelong dream to perform, record, and compose music full time. While teaching, he attended National University in Culver City, California; where he completed 18 credit hours of the Masters in Music Education curriculum. He serves as the Assistant Pastor and Minister of Music for Redeemer Church of Christ-Power of God Ministries. He is the founder of the Alvin & Elizabeth McKinney Foundation, a 501c3 tax exempt charitable organization that raises funds to provide musical outlets and purchase instruments for aspiring young people who cannot afford to buy their own. He hosted Joyful Jazz Ministries, on Cross TV Network, from November 2015 to April 2016, and The Joyful Jazz Show, live from Roscoe's Media Center Studios in Los Angeles, CA, from October 2013 to November 2015.
Over the years, Dr. McKinney has performed or recorded with such industry giants as B. B. King, Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Lou Rawls, Kirk Whalum, Billy Preston, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Phil Upchurch, Jason Crabb & Crabb Family, Andrae Crouch, Ellis Hall, Daniello DeLaurentiis, David Longoria, Oya Thomas, Ruby Wilson, Joyce Cobb, Gary Escoe, Emminence Band, Kurl & Paul McKinney, and many others. He's toured in Ghana, Russia, and throughout the West Indies. In Barbados, he received the Face of Africa-Ambassador of Human Rights Award from the International Gathering for Peace and Human Rights of Africa. He has headlined at the House of Blues' Gospel Brunch in Hollywood, CA with Sylvia St. James; and with Ray Sidney & The Firm Soundation. He has performed for Jarvee Hutcherson's Multicultural Motion Picture Association's (MMPA) "Ladies In Red" Diamond Rose Awards, a "Stand Up For Cancer" benefit, and toured with Dr. Iris Stevenson and the Crenshaw Elite Choir in France, Notre Dame, Monaco, Tunisia, Spain, Switzerland, and stateside in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C. at the White House for President Barack Obama. He performs Classical, Traditional Jazz, Swing Jazz, Gospel Jazz, Gospel, Blues, Dixieland, R & B, Soul, Pop, and Funk. Dr. McKinney holds Artist Endorsements with Keilwerth Saxophones, Beechler Mouthpieces, Légère Reeds LTD, Audio Technica Inc., and KORG USA. He is an Artist/Clinician with The Buffet Group; a member of The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local #47, and a member of The National Academy of Recording Arts & Science (NARAS). He is the full package, with over 40 years of experience in the entertainment industry.
