Born in Atlanta, Melton Mustafa Jr. comes from a family of great musicians. His dad Melton Mustafa Senior is an international jazz trumpeter, producer, composer and teacher , who has played with the American jazz giants like the Count Basie Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Melton Mustafa grew up listening to his dad and uncle Jesse Jones, who is also great sax player too.
Melton Mustafa is known for his flair for entertaining and is an excellent educator. He has been teaching music to children for years as well as young adults at Florida Memorial University. Mustafa is quarter finalist for the Grammy`s Music Educator Award and is an accomplished music producer. In his journey as a musician, he has played in concert with famous artists like Lalah Hathaway, James Carter, Wycliffe Gordon, Melton Mustafa Orchestra and has opened for Kelly Rowland and many others. Mustafa has been featured at the Jazz in the Gardens Festival with great names like Rachel Ferrell, Boney James and LL Cool J. As an International artist Melton Mustafa has toured and performed with the Ray Charles Band and Melton Mustafa Orchestra. Mustafa’s most recent international tour was in Africa performing the show “Jazz Em Casa”.
Melton Mustafa Jr. is a three time Grammy Nominated Music Educator Quarterfinalist who was recently featured at The Jazz In The Gardens concert in Miami and is the son of International Jazz trumpeter and composer Melton S. Mustafa. Mustafa was born in Atlanta, GA. and raised in Miami, Fl. where he started playing music in high school under the direction of Mr. Frank Neal at Miami Carol City HS. Melton Mustafa received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Florida A&M University where he served as Section leader of the saxophone section and head of the Dance Routine committee for the Legendary Marching “100”. While at FAMU, Mustafa performed with the FAMU “Strikers” at the Apollo theatre and traveled the world with the Marching “100”. After undergraduate school, Mustafa received a Master’s Degree in Education from Florida International University and where he is working on his Doctoral Degree in Leadership. Melton Mustafa currently works as Professional Music Educator at Pioneer Middle School and is an Professor at Florida Memorial University. When he is not teaching he performing, directing and producing music.
As a director, Mustafa has conducted the “Star Spangled Banner” for the Junior Olympics, written and directed a show for the Super Bowl entitled “Global Rhythms Local Beat”, served as the Musical Director for the Show “From the Porch” featuring Danny Glover, directed the band and choreographed the featured Marching in Master "P" and Little Romeo’s music video, “Two Way”(which was featured on the BET TV Show - Access Granted). Founder and director of the Miami Dade Parks Community Band.
A couple of years ago, Melton Mustafa wrote and received a grant to start a community band at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center. The grant was written to allow a venue for anyone in the community who plays jazz or classical music and wants to play and perform.
Melton has been featured on the following: More then Words - Mr. Sax “Butterfly” CD (poetry and sax), “St. Louis Blues” CD (Big Band), “Sea B Marrah” CD (Reggae), Betty Pageant CD (Blues sax), Ike and Val Woods Live at Tobacco Road CD (sax), Pieces of a Pisces CD, Jesus was a Capricorn CD, Guest Artist for the show “By Kids for Kids (channel 10), acted in The Language of Music -Tom Dowd (Film), Acted in “The Buddy Holly Story” Actor’s Play House”(off Broadway), danced at the Apollo Theater (Striker dance troupe).
As a producer, Melton Mustafa just released “Mosaic Love,” “Black Man Keep Going,” “Can’t Deal,” “Soarin',” “Cabbage Alley,” “Tell Me All About It,” “Musical Journey Through Time,” Scenes from Miami Vol. 1 The Softer Side and his latest production The Traveling Man which features his dad Melton Mustafa senior, the late Mulgrew Miller, Victor Lewis, Patrick Bartley and Essiet Essiet. Melton Mustafa is currently working on adapting his original music “Shalom Salaam Serene” into an audio book to be used in the public school system.
As a professional educator Mustafa has developed superior rated music programs in Miami-Dade County and Broward County and has served as guest clinician and mentor for new teachers. Mustafa is a professional adjudicator for the Florida Band Masters Association and evaluates school music programs at their Annual Music Performance Assessment. Mustafa has served a musical Director MIAMI-Dade, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Memphis, Tenessee and Las Vegas Honors Jazz Bands.
Melton Mustafa is the Executive Producer of the Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival and is also the President of the non-profit MSM Arts United and Zaki Publishing, Media & Entertainment Group LLC
Mustafa has been recognized for his contributions to the community by the National Association of Negro Musicians, Florida Band Masters Association, 40 under 40 Most Influential Leaders, South Florida’s Most Outstanding Educators, Gospel Truth Magazine, Family Care Magazine and many more.
