Dr. Alvin McKinney-Saxophonist-"THE PRIME MINISTER OF JOYFUL JAZZ"

Dr. Alvin McKinney is a Virtuoso Alto Saxophonist, song writer/composer, arranger, and producer. He started his musical journey playing drums at age four.  At age twelve, he picked up his first Saxophone. It became his first passion, and the focus of his career aspirations in music.  He attended the University of Memphis, where he studied Classical Saxophone under Professor of Saxophones, Mr. Allen Rippe.  He performed with the Marching Band, Jazz Band, and won the Woodwind Concerto competition in 1988. He graduated 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.  He resigned in 2013, stepping out on faith to pursue his lifelong dream to do live performances, recordings, and make music his full time career. 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 instrument.  

Dr. McKinney established Prophetic Management & Entertainment to produce and promote his musical gifts and talent.  He has over 40 years of experience in the entertainment industry.  

He is the host of The Joyful Jazz Show, which airs live from Roscoe’s Media Center in Los Angeles, California, Every Thursday from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time at www.rmconair.com.  The Joyful Jazz Show features Gospel, Inspirational and Christian Jazz Artists, and Christians in all music genres globally.  

Over the years, he has performed or recorded with such industry giants as B. B. King, Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Kirk Whalum, Billy Preston, Phil Upchurch, Lou Rawls, and many more. He plays flute, clarinet, midi wind controller, keyboard, drums, and auxiliary percussions. He performs Classical, Traditional Jazz, Swing Jazz, Gospel Jazz, Gospel, Blues, Dixieland, R & B, Soul, Pop, and Funk, which makes him an Artist that’s got all the angles covered.  He is the full package.  

 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).