Melvin L. Butler

Dr. Melvin L. Butler is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami, specializing in Musicology. His work bridges ethnomusicology, cultural anthropology, and religious studies.

Research Interests:

• Caribbean Island cultural and religious music practices
• Haitian and Jamaican Pentecostalism
• Jazz and gospel music traditions
• Music's role in identity, ritual, and transnational networks
• Performance studies and ethnographic methodologies

Publications Trends: Butler's research spans 2002–2020, focusing on Caribbean music, Vodou rituals, Pentecostal worship, and jazz diplomacy. His work intersects music with race, faith, and cultural politics.