Al Pearson

Al Pearson began his musical career in Philadelphia during a time when there were many mentors that made themselves available to ALL musicians who would seek them out. John Coltrane, Clifford Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Richie Kamuca, Hank Mobley, Billy Root, Johnny Coles, Lee Morgan, Odean Pope, Bootsie Barnes, Jimmy Oliver, Bill Doggett, Bobby Timmons, and Jymie Merrit were among the musicians who lived in Philadelphia at that time. During those early learning period years Al played in a seven piece band lead by trumpeter Owen Marshall and the two young saxophonists in the group, Carl and Earl Grubbs, were nephews of John Coltrane. While learning to play jazz he began playing casual dances and shows featuring Stevie Wonder, Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, Sammy Davis, Jr, Marvin Gaye and many others. He was a recording studio musician for Philly Sound Studios for many years. Education was garnered from The Granoff School of Music, Philadelphia Academy of Music, Mesa Community College in Arizona , Arizona State University and Park University in Missouri . Al participated in many jazz bands led by Basie trombonist Al Grey, pianist-trumpeter-composer Owen Marshall, Jimmy Heath, Clark Terry, Jackie McLean, Jay McShann, Claude ‘Fiddler' Williams, Eddie Harris, Carmel Jones, Everette DeVan, Ahmad Alaadeen, Bill Caldwell, Sonny Kenner, Arch Martin, Myra Taylor, Queen Bey, Boulevard Big Band, Trilogy Big Band, River City Orchestra, Louis Neal Big Band, Vince Bilardo Orchestra, the New Vintage Big Band and others. Musicals in the Kansas City area, include 42nd Street , The Lena Horne Show and the Tiffany's Attic production of One Mo' Time. Recently Al has backed performers such as Lou Rawls, Debbie Reynolds, Crystal Gale, Four Tops, and Joe Piscopo. Al has also performed with the Danville , IL symphony, performing a Duke Ellington work.

Northwest Missouri State University

Al Pearson