Daily Inspiration: Meet Gabriel Mervine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriel Mervine.

Hi Gabriel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
At an early age, I fell in love with the sounds of music.

Once I started playing an instrument in middle school I knew this life was for me, and the rest is history.

I feel very lucky to get to share music with people every day. I love having a career that makes people’s day better and hopefully washes away some of their troubles.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s not a smooth road. Being an artist is always a challenge especially when it’s also my source of income. I constantly have to balance what I want to do as a creator, and what I need to do to ensure financial stability in my life.

It’s also difficult to balance work and personal life. I work all the time and on holidays I generally end up being busier than usual, so it’s hard to find time for vacations, etc…. I wouldn’t trade it for anything though, and I’m grateful for all the challenges this life provides. It’s helped me become a better more patient person.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I play the trumpet for a living. A couple of days a week, I get to put together my band and feature my music, on other nights of the week I perform as a freelance musician working with ensembles of all different styles.

I spent most of my twenties touring with a group called the Motet which led me all over the country performing original music for the greatest fans. It taught me so much. Through all of my freelance work, I’ve learned how to bring my sound (and the trumpet sound) into any music genre and be a great listener and communicator on the stage.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I come from a musical family. I owe my expectation of expertise to my parents. My first band director John Minthorn taught me so much, and I owe my dedication to the trumpet to him. I owe my expertise in Jazz and improvisation to all of the local clubs and jam sessions that have allowed me to hone my craft over the years, especially the owner of Herb’s, Laura Newman.

I owe a lot to John Kite of the Brown Palace for hiring me so frequently and showing me the true importance of what musicians call the “Great American Songbook.” My younger sister Lark Mervine is a professional dancer and instructor, and she has shown me the importance of bringing the dance aspect into my music. Lastly, every truly dedicated artist. They all inspire me every day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @gabrielmervine
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChkHT-qzBTZJlFIRR3dKBWA

Image Credits
Diana Yakhlef