Join us on January 30th, 2026, at 7:30 PM for a stellar showcase of talent from the Belmont University School of Music faculty.
Belmont Faculty Jazz Group
Friday, January 30th, 7:30 PM
Nashville Jazz Workshop
Join the Belmont Faculty Jazz Group at NJW for a unique evening featuring some of the best music educators in Music City! This concert will feature Alan Robinson (guitar), Carter Murphey (bass), Roy Vogt (bass), Paulo Oliveira (guitar), Bruce Dudley (piano), Todd London (drums), Anthony Belfiglio (piano), and Sandra Dudley (vocals).
About the performers:
Alan Robinson
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.
Carter Murphey
Carter Murphey has been an adjunct instructor of electric bass at Belmont University since 2021. Murphey earned both a Bachelor and Master of Music in Commercial Electric Bass from Belmont, studying under instructors Roy Vogt, Craig Nelson, Adam Nitti, and Stephanie Dickinson Graham. Murphey’s graduate thesis was a stylistic analysis of the bassists of Miles Davis, which he presented as a lecture recital at Belmont’s Massey Performing Arts Center. During both tenures at Belmont, Murphey performed with many of the university’s ensembles, including Jazz Band I, Jazz Small Group I, Jazzmin, the Belmont Symphony Orchestra, and the Belmont String Chamber Orchestra.
Outside of Belmont, Murphey has been active in the Nashville music scene for over a decade. He has recorded and performed with numerous artists including Sheryl Crow, Denyce Graves, Judah & the Lion, Kevin Max, Duffy Jackson, Danny Gottlieb, Bob Reynolds, and Bob Franceschini. He has made appearances at Music City Roots, the Jazz Education Network Convention, and the Victor Wooten Center for Music and Nature. Murphey was also an adjunct faculty member at Tennessee State University’s School of Music.
Roy Vogt
How many people can lay claim to a career so varied that it includes appearances on MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball, Montreaux Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, the London Palladium, the Grand Ole Opry and the Kremlin? From Punk to Funk, the simplicity of Country and Blues to the complexity of HyperJazz and World Beat? Not many. Yet premier bassist and educator Roy Vogt has done all that and more.
The first person to receive a Masters degree in Electric Bass Performance – from the University of Miami’s prestigious music school – Roy has been pursuing the art of bass for more than forty years. In addition, he is recognized as one of the finest educators in the world, mentoring dozens of successful professionals, including the legendary Willie Weeks. Electric, fretless, upright, you name it. If it plays low notes and has strings, Roy is a master at playing it, and in teaching others to do the same.
Over his four-decade career, Roy has recorded or performed with an amazing list of top stars, including Larry Coryell, Victor Wooten, Dave Weckl, Tom Scott and the LA Express, Chester Thompson, Miroslav Vitous, Glenn Campbell, BJ Thomas, Chet Atkins, Englebert Humperdink, Dickey Betts, Tony Joe White, Charlie Daniels, Jerry Reed, and dozens more.
Roy has been teaching at the university level for thirty years. Since 1983, he has held the Bass Professor chair at prestigious Belmont University (Nashville, TN), one of the very few schools to offer a commercial music degree program designed to turn students into professional musicians working at the top of the industry. Roy’s students have toured and recorded with such notable stars as Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, Little Texas, Michael W. Smith, Lady Antebellum, Chick Corea, Sir Tom Jones, Blood Sweat and Tears, Yanni, and countless other music icons.
Paulo Oliveira
Dr. Paulo Oliveira is a dynamic musician, excelling as a soloist, ensemble performer, arranger, and dedicated educator. Paulo serves as the coordinator of Belmont University's guitar program, he imparts his expertise through applied guitar instruction, seminar classes, ensemble coaching, and collaborative faculty performances. Hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, Oliveira's influence extends globally, with his teaching and performances leaving a lasting impression in Asia, South America, Europe, and the United States. Notable achievements include winning prestigious awards from competitions like the Villa-Lobos Conservatory and Emerging Artists Competition, Ekstrand Competition, as well as the participation in renowned international festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival (USA) and Campos do Jordão Winter Festival (Brazil).
Oliveira's musical journey is punctuated by impactful collaborations, featuring performances and recordings alongside acclaimed musicians such as Chester Thompson, Jeff Coffin, Christian McBride, Jimmy Greene, John Clayton, Randy Brecker, Sean Jones, and Mike Manieri.
Oliveira holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and supplements this accomplishment with degrees from the University of Missouri Columbia, Universidade Cruzeiro do Sul, and Escola Municipal de Música de São Paulo. His extensive musical background, diverse global experiences, and steadfast commitment to diversity underscore his significant impact on both the realms of music education and performance on an international scale.
Bruce Dudley
Dr. Bruce Dudley is a Professor of Music in the School of Music. A member of the faculty since 1995, he teaches graduate and undergraduate Commercial Piano, Improvisation, Commercial Instrumental Styles, Advanced Commercial Music Analysis, Advanced Improvisation, and Commercial Music Pedagogy. Dr. Dudley has a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Colorado, a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelor of Science in Music, Business, and Technology from New York University. He also studied at the Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, and earned a diploma in audio engineering from the Institute of Audio Research in New York City. Dr. Dudley was an adjunct instructor of jazz piano at Vanderbilt University for 17 years and previously taught jazz studies at Middle Tennessee State University, San Jacinto College (Houston), St. Francis Xavier University (Nova Scotia), and the Eastman School of Music. He has conducted many jazz workshops throughout the United States and has been an adjudicator at music festivals and conferences, including the Jazz Education Network (JEN), Eastern Kentucky Piano Competition, Texas Music Educators Association, Maritime Musicfests, and International Association of Jazz Educators.
His performance credits include accompanying popular artists such as Aretha Franklin, Crystal Gayle, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Moody Blues, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, and The Ink Spots. He has played in the pit of over 35 Broadway tours including Wicked, Jersey Boys, Guys and Dolls, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, Legally Blonde, and many other shows. He has accompanied jazz artists such as Herb Ellis, Randy Brecker, Fraser McPherson, Jamie Baum, and others. Also known for his compositional abilities, Dudley has received several commissions, including Deanna Little, “Flute Many Colors,” the Alias Chamber Ensemble, “Between Light and Dark,” the group CELLO, the Canadian Saxophone Quintet, and others. He has composed music for Disney and Carnival Cruise Lines, and for the daytime television series Guiding Light. His recordings as a leader include DPSW Quartet Live (2016), The Solo Sessions (2012), Mostly Monk (2010), and Semblance(1997).
Dr. Dudley is a BMI writer and publisher, a member of the Nashville Association of Musicians A.F. of M. 257, International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers (ISJAC), and Jazz Education Network (JEN).
Bruce Dudley is a Steinway Concert Artist.
Todd London
As a faculty member at the Belmont University School of Music, Todd London teaches applied percussion, ethnic percussion, commercial percussion seminars, and currently serves as the co-coordinator for percussion studies. Todd holds the Master of Music degree from the University of Georgia at Athens with a major in Percussion Performance and a Bachelor of Music degree from Belmont University with a major in Commercial Music Performance. As a performer, Mr. London maintains a busy schedule and has most recently been performing with the Belmont Faculty Jazz Group, Coral Bay Steel Drum Band, Music City Steel Drum Band, Rose on Vibes Quintet, Anthony Belfiglio Trio, Nashville Praise Symphony, and Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra.
Anthony Belfiglio
Dr. Anthony Belfiglio has been teaching piano and various undergraduate and graduate music courses at Belmont since 2006. Prior to Belmont, he taught at the University of Texas at Austin and Temple University. Dr. Belfiglio also has extensive experience as a private piano teacher, going all the way back to the young age of 14 when he first began teaching professionally.
Dr. Belfiglio has published five books: Piano Arrangements of Spirituals and Gospel Songs (self-published), Chord Voicings for the Contemporary Pianist (Linus Books), Chord and Scale Structures for the Contemporary Musician (Linus Books), Kenny Kirkland Solo Transcriptions (The System), and Fundamental Rhythmic Characteristics of Improvised Straight-Ahead Jazz (UMI).
Dr. Belfiglio performs with and coordinates the Belmont Faculty Jazz Group, a faculty ensemble that performs twice a year. Dr. Belfiglio co-founded the ensemble in 2009. He also performs frequently on other faculty concerts.
As a young musician, Dr. Belfiglio performed at various venues in the Philadelphia area. He also performed for two consecutive years at the Oberlin College Summer Piano Institute. Later, he was selected as composer/performer participant with Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead, including performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Further performances have included concerts with notable jazz artists such as Danny Gottlieb, Duffy Jackson, Brian Bromberg, Gene Perla, Jeff Berlin, Jeff Coffin, Chester Thompson, Tracy Silverman, Dave Douglas, Branford Marsalis, Kenny Garrett, Jason Marsalis, Kevin Mahogany, John Riley, John Fedchock, Steve Turre, John Blake, and Eddie Gomez. He has also performed live on Nashville National Public Radio, on Austin National Public Radio, and WFLN Philadelphia. Presently, he can be heard performing regularly in Nashville-area venues in addition to his performances at Belmont.
He has released six CD recordings, and more of his music can be found on his website, YouTube channel, SoundCloud page, and Bandcamp page. As a guest clinician, he has presented at various institutions including the Berklee College of Music, the Beijing Academy of Contemporary Music, and the University of West Virginia.
Sandra Dudley
Jazz vocalist Sandra Dudley is a dynamic and versatile singer that has entertained audiences in clubs and concerts for over 40 years. Sandra has sung with small groups, big bands, orchestras, and studio orchestras, including the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony, the Eastman Studio Orchestra, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, and many more, performing with artists such as Fred Hersch, Lori Mechem, Duffy Jackson, Bobby Militello, Marvin Stamm, Dave Catney, Barney Kessel, Jeff Hamilton, husband Bruce Dudley and many others.
A seasoned jazz artist, recording artist, session vocalist, as well as educator, Sandra has served on the faculty of three universities, and for the past 31 years has been full time at Belmont University teaching commercial voice and jazz styles, improvisation, graduate courses, as well as directing the jazz vocal ensemble, Jazzmin for many years. She served as coordinator of the commercial voice program at Belmont for 25 years. She will retire from Belmont in May, 2026.
Sandra has also taught and performed at the Nashville Jazz Workshop since it’s beginnings. She served for many years on both the Executive Board and the Vocal Curriculum Committee.
Sandra has presented lecture/performances on the great jazz vocalists, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Carmen McRae, lecturing on their lives and singing the songs they popularized. She has appeared on at least 6 nationally recognized albums, including her album Close To You, a duo album with friend and pianist Lori Mechem entitled All of My Life, a tribute album to the great lyricists, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, who graciously endorsed the project. She can be heard with the vocal jazz quartet, 3rd Coast Vocals on their project 3CV on the Cognito label. She was also the featured vocalist on the Memphis Big Band project-The Jazz Orchestra of the Delta’s Big Band Reflections of Cole Porter, directed by Dr. Jack Cooper on Summit Records. She is currently planning another project with husband, Bruce Dudley.