Mervyn Johnston

I have a degree in saxophone performance from Duquesne University and have played in bands and shows for over 35 years. From the Pittsburgh Opera to Pink Floyd tributes, I have persued my love of music. I play solo all over south Florida and aim to enhance your event. I moved to New York City from London in 1993. I studied with renowned alto saxophonist and educator, Dave Glasser. After four years of playing around New York, I decided to take formal music education and seek a degree in saxophone performance. I began in the Jazz program at San Francisco State University, studying sax and piano with John Handy, Hafez Moderzedeh, Dee Spencer, Andrew Speight, and Wayne Wallace. I was fortunate enough to take private instruction with Branford Marsalis. I played lead alto in the San Francisco State Big band at the state finals and had several gigs around the Bay area, as well as leading my own trio. At this time, I decided to further my playing by moving to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. I took applied lessons with classical tenor master, James Houlik as well as sax quartet and jazz combo with Steve Pollock, Mike Tommaro, and Dr. John Willson. I also studied piano and teaching methods. I graduated with a Bachelor of Music in saxophone performance. I had a small studio of students as well as my own quintet playing clubs and corporate functions. I had the opportunity to play in The Roger Humphries Big Band as well as festivals and the Pittsburgh Jazz Society. I played at The Manchester Craftsman’s Guild, Dowe’s on 9th, Pittsburgh Symphony Hall cafeteria, and various corporate functions and events. I played several pit orchestras in productions including Damn Yankee’s and The Pittsburgh Opera’s production of The Three Penny Opera. I began the Bar Harbor Jazz Festival in 2004 and ran it for three years. I gained sponsorship, permits, and performers, Kenny Werner, Dave Glasser Quartet, and Laslo Gardoney to name a few. We provided master classes at the high school for local musicians. I also had a group of high school students that I worked with, eventually leading to paid gigs with me as band leader. I played with my own group, Four, opening for pianist Ronnie Mathews and sax player, Dave Glasser at The Criterion Theater. I also performed at The Bangor Blues Festival and as a side man with Kansas sax legend Harvey Kaiser on his visit to Maine. I have since settled in South Florida. I have been teaching for over twenty years and currently teach sax, flute, clarinet, piano, and theory. I have a studio and have been the artist in residence at Boynton Beach High School as well as teaching band at Rolling Green Elementary and West Palm Beach Junior Academy. My Jazz quartet “Time Out” performs around Palm Beach and you can find me weekly at Monroe’s, Cornell Art Museum, and The Colony Hotel in Delray Beach. I have played in a variety of musical styles in the area. Currently, I have performed with numerous local bands as well as jazz gigs at The Delray Beach Club, Palm Beach Polo Club, and corporate and wedding functions around South Florida.