Christopher-Joel Carter, IV
Pianist & Organist
Christopher-Joel Carter, is an internationally recognized and award-winning career pianist, organist, and recording artist. At age 11, Christopher began professionally playing the piano for civic, sacred, and educational institutions, and with over 30 years of experience, continues to delight audiences of all variety. Christopher's repertoire ranges from humble and rustic music to the most over-the-top Liberace styles, to jazz, to the experimental and avant-garde.
Christopher-Joel is the reigning champion of the Liberace Piano Competition (2008). Once the Liberace Piano Competition was finalized, he was invited to live and perform in Las Vegas as the headlining pianist at then the brand new M Resort & Casino. He also has been featured as guest artist at many other hotels, theatres, and casinos. C.J. has shared the billboard with beloved entertainers such as Natalie Cole, Alan Jackson, ABC, Wang Chung, Marie Osmond, Cutting Crew, Siegfried & Roy, among myriad others. He is beloved amongst celebrities and locals alike, and he is known for iconoclastic selections, festive performances, and a vivid sense of musical programming. Christopher released his first self-titled album in 2010 , a set of classic cocktail tunes, with Christopher's distinct arranging skills on full parade.
Christopher-Joel is the principal organist and pianist at Trinity United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Alabama, a position he began in 2016. He is the creator and host of the popular Trinity Keyboard Series, a concert series of seasonal performances featuring Christopher’s unique style of entertainment, with the goal of fundraising for the Moller pipe organ and Baldwin concert grand piano, at Trinity. A member of the American Guild of Organists, he has also served as Dean of his chapter. In 2024, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, Christopher was the piano soloist for the JSU Civic Symphony, and the Tennessee Valley Festival Orchestra.
Christopher shared his collaborative debut with flutist, Jeremy Benson at Carnegie Hall, performing the music of the Japanese composer Yuko Uebayashi, and Cesar Franck. Benson & Carter, presenting the music of Robert Muczynski and their iconic "Gershwin Fantasy" -won second place in the Music International Grand Prix in Washington D.C. Their popular album “Pure Hymnagination” is a collection of sacred/gospel music, arranged for piano and flute by Christopher and Jeremy.
2025 brought a year of record-breaking audiences with the Trinity Keyboard Series concert, and collaborations with The Heritage Ringers, Jo Lynn Burks, and Jason Max Ferdinand, in addition, to two guest appearance with the Brass Band of Huntsville, performing the Saint-Saens "Organ" Symphony No. 3, and as special guest at their Christmas Concert. Christopher performed also in St. Louis, Missouri, and for the Foothills Piano Festival at Jacksonville State University presenting "A Salute to Liberace."
Christopher-Joel is the reigning champion of the Liberace Piano Competition (2008). Once the Liberace Piano Competition was finalized, he was invited to live and perform in Las Vegas as the headlining pianist at then the brand new M Resort & Casino. He also has been featured as guest artist at many other hotels, theatres, and casinos. C.J. has shared the billboard with beloved entertainers such as Natalie Cole, Alan Jackson, ABC, Wang Chung, Marie Osmond, Cutting Crew, Siegfried & Roy, among myriad others. He is beloved amongst celebrities and locals alike, and he is known for iconoclastic selections, festive performances, and a vivid sense of musical programming. Christopher released his first self-titled album in 2010 , a set of classic cocktail tunes, with Christopher's distinct arranging skills on full parade.
Christopher-Joel is the principal organist and pianist at Trinity United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Alabama, a position he began in 2016. He is the creator and host of the popular Trinity Keyboard Series, a concert series of seasonal performances featuring Christopher’s unique style of entertainment, with the goal of fundraising for the Moller pipe organ and Baldwin concert grand piano, at Trinity. A member of the American Guild of Organists, he has also served as Dean of his chapter. In 2024, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, Christopher was the piano soloist for the JSU Civic Symphony, and the Tennessee Valley Festival Orchestra.
Christopher shared his collaborative debut with flutist, Jeremy Benson at Carnegie Hall, performing the music of the Japanese composer Yuko Uebayashi, and Cesar Franck. Benson & Carter, presenting the music of Robert Muczynski and their iconic "Gershwin Fantasy" -won second place in the Music International Grand Prix in Washington D.C. Their popular album “Pure Hymnagination” is a collection of sacred/gospel music, arranged for piano and flute by Christopher and Jeremy.
2025 brought a year of record-breaking audiences with the Trinity Keyboard Series concert, and collaborations with The Heritage Ringers, Jo Lynn Burks, and Jason Max Ferdinand, in addition, to two guest appearance with the Brass Band of Huntsville, performing the Saint-Saens "Organ" Symphony No. 3, and as special guest at their Christmas Concert. Christopher performed also in St. Louis, Missouri, and for the Foothills Piano Festival at Jacksonville State University presenting "A Salute to Liberace."
