Justin Morell is a Los Angeles-born composer and guitarist whose work bridges jazz, classical, and contemporary music. Known for his expressive compositions and virtuosic guitar playing, Morell has performed or recorded with artists like John Daversa, Todd Sickafoose, and Alan Ferber, and contributed to film scores including John Williams’ “Catch Me If You Can”.
A graduate of UCLA (B.A.), California State University East Bay (M.A.), and the University of Oregon (Ph.D.), Morell studied under composers Robert Kyr and David Crumb. He currently serves as Professor of Music at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania, where he teaches composition, theory, and co-directs the Valley Jazz Orchestra.
Morell’s acclaimed 2021 project, “All Without Words”, is a concerto for trumpet, jazz orchestra, and choir inspired by his nonverbal autistic son, Loren. The piece, based on Loren’s vocalizations, explores the emotional landscape of parenting a child with communication challenges. Premiered under the direction of Maria Schneider at the Henry Mancini Institute, it has since been performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and featured in a multidisciplinary performance with dance and visual art.
His discography includes “Exit Music for Intelligent Life on Earth” (2022), “Concerto for Guitar and Jazz Orchestra” (2018), and “Subjects and Complements” (2013). All About Jazz named his “Exit Music” among the best jazz recordings of the year. His latest project, under the pseudonym Dr. Ohm Digital Jazz Orchestra (www.drohmdjo.com) playfully explores the relationship between music and AI and features recordings for jazz orchestra fully realized by Morell in his home studio.
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Beyond Head-Solos-Head: Expanding Jazz Composition Through Classical Forms
Friday, January 9, 2026
5:00 PM - 5:50 PM CST
