Justin Morell has carved a distinctive path in the contemporary music scene as a composer and guitarist whose work seamlessly blends jazz, popular, and classical elements. Originally hailing from Los Angeles, Morell honed his skills in a vibrant musical environment, collaborating with esteemed musicians such as Bob Florence, John Daversa, Todd Sickafoose, Alan Ferber, and Dave Pell. His diverse portfolio extends into television and film, including contributions to John Williams’ score for Stephen Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can. Morell’s compositions, whether for jazz ensembles or concert orchestras, reflect a deep engagement with diverse musical traditions and forms.
A significant highlight in Morell’s career is the 2021 release of All Without Words, an orchestral jazz trumpet concerto created in partnership with John Daversa. This critically acclaimed work, premiered under Maria Schneider’s artistic direction at the Henry Mancini Institute in Miami, is a deeply personal reflection on Morell’s experiences raising his non-verbal autistic son, Loren. The concerto’s central theme is ingeniously built around Loren’s vocalizations, adding an emotional and intimate layer to the musical narrative.
Further demonstrating his innovative approach, Morell’s Concerto for Guitar and Jazz Orchestra, released in December 2018 via ArtistShare, showcases his prowess in blending genres. This recording features the exceptional Adam Rogers on guitar and the University of Miami Frost Concert Jazz Band, under the direction of John Daversa. Earlier, in 2013, Morell introduced Subjects and Complements, a collection of original compositions for a ten-piece jazz ensemble. This album boasts performances from jazz luminaries and classical musicians alike, including Bob Sheppard, Ben Wendel, Matt Otto, Phil O’Connor, John Daversa, Alan Ferber, George Thatcher, Leonard Thompson, Damian Erskine, and Mark Ferber. triOrange, featuring bassist Todd Sickafoose and pianist Leonard Thompson, marked an earlier success in Morell’s discography, earning praise upon its release in 2003. His earlier project, the music of steely_dan, released in 2002, was recognized as one of the best CDs of the year by NPR’s WBEZ Chicago, highlighting his early career recognition.
Critical acclaim has consistently followed Morell’s work. Dan McClenaghan of All About Jazz has lauded Morell’s guitar skills, suggesting he belongs “in the top tier of jazz guitarists, along with Metheny and Bill Frisell.” McClenaghan also identified Morell’s Exit Music For Intelligent Life On Earth as a standout candidate for best jazz records of 2022, underscoring the continued relevance and impact of Morell’s music.
Morell’s compositional talents are frequently sought after through commissions. Recent projects include a piece commemorating the 150th anniversary of Lebanon Valley College, a song cycle for baritone and string quartet for the Pacific Serenades concert series in Los Angeles, and several new arrangements for saxophone and jazz ensemble, which premiered at the North American Saxophone Alliance. His compositions have been performed by esteemed ensembles such as Fireworks Ensemble, the Oregon Jazz Ensemble, the Onyx String Quartet, ECCE (Eugene Contemporary Chamber Orchestra), and the University of Oregon Saxophone Quartet. Prestigious platforms like the Composers’, Inc., concert series, the Oregon Composers Forum, and Bargemusic in New York have also featured premieres of his pieces. Justin Morell’s academic foundation is as robust as his professional achievements, holding a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon, where he studied with Robert Kyr and David Crumb, further solidifying his expertise and authority in the field of music composition and performance.
