Alan Robinson

Biography

Dr. Alan Robinson is an active performer, composer, and author based in Nashville, TN. He serves as an Assistant Professor of Music at Belmont University School of Music, teaching Commercial Guitar, Improvisation 1 & 2, and directing Commercial Guitar Ensemble 1.

Currently, Alan is writing and performing with his group, the Alan Robinson Trio, planning to release a new Fusion/Rock album in Fall 2023. He has shared the stage with notable musical acts such as The Platters, John Rich, Stryper, the Winery Dogs, and has led various bands, including TOYS (Metal), Depot Road (Country), 4-Cast (Jazz), Toxic Toyz (Metal), and The Alan Robinson Band (Progressive Instrumental Rock).

Alan's recording projects include independent releases like The Tommy Money Jazz Orchestra, 4Cast, Psychedelic Rendezvous, TOYS: Let the Games Begin, and Contemplation, an instrumental rock project. In 2021, Alan composed and recorded "Circuition: Concerto for Jazz Guitar and Orchestra," a four-movement programmatic work featured in his doctoral dissertation, showcasing the guitar with a full orchestra.

Alan’s most recent publication is his 2023 release The Harmonic Expansion Process: The Rock Guitarist’s Guide to Playing Jazz. The Harmonic Expansion Process is a method that harnesses the strengths of the rock guitarist, utilizing techniques like power chords and pentatonic scales to build complex harmony without requiring years of study or multiple music degrees to understand. The book provides numerous examples and play-alongs to aid in your successful growth. By using chord progressions based on jazz standards, it establishes a robust foundation in harmony.

With an extensive musical career, Alan has held various positions in education and performance. He served as the Director of Bands at South Floyd High School, the Director of Jazz and Contemporary Music at Pikeville University, and Jazz Guitar Instructor at both the University of Kentucky and Campbellsville University.

In addition to his musical career, Alan served in the United States Air Force with the 2nd Security Police Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, LA. He also served in the Kentucky Army National Guard as the principal guitarist and Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of both the jazz and rock combos for the 202nd Army Band, Frankfort, Kentucky, before being promoted to the rank of First Sergeant for the Kentucky Joint Forces Headquarters. Alan retired from active duty with the United States Army in 2017 at the rank of Sergeant Major.

Alan holds a robust academic background, earning a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kentucky, a Master of Music degree from Eastern Kentucky University, and a Bachelor of Music from the Berklee College of Music. He has studied with Jon Finn, Joe Stump, Mark White, Norman Zocher, Jim Kelly, Dr. Dieter Hennings, and Dr. Raleigh Dailey.