Rising Stars: Meet John Simpkins

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Simpkins.

Hi John, 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.
The moment when I truly got into music was when my older brother Dave Simpkins asked me to join his band Askimbo. At age 14, I was the youngest in the group. I can’t fully express how cool it was to feel a part of something that was so much bigger than me.

For years, our group of 6 did everything together. Initially, it was hard to get gigs, so we rehearsed nightly and hung out a lot. Eventually, the band got a side gig cleaning a preschool so we could buy a P.A. and start putting on our shows.

The group went on to play over 2000 shows together, held a weekly show in downtown Denver for over a decade, and recorded five albums together. This group of musicians became an important part of my life and most of them are still in my current groups. I started teaching trumpet after I graduated from Metropolitan State University in 2011.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think any artist has a smooth road. The balancing act of being unique enough to stand out while pulling from tradition enough for people to understand or like what you are doing is never easy.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Most artists have to take on a variety of roles to make a living. I believe the combination of teaching trumpets, recording, performing, and repairing instruments has given me a well-rounded perspective on the overall art of being a trumpet player. I enjoy teaching trumpets a lot and feel it is what has kept me inspired to continue playing over the years.

I am a passionate instructor with a commitment to fostering individual growth. I teach a large variety of ages and levels of trumpet players which makes it so I have to go beyond traditional methods and tailor lessons to each student. Being able to create a supportive and motivating learning environment for others has often reminded me to do the same for myself.

Repairing instruments for many students and professionals in the Denver metro area allows me to stay connected. While most of this time is spent fixing other people’s instruments, I enjoy making small modifications to my trumpet and feel this has enabled me to come up with a sound and voice of my own.

I have two solo albums out under my name John Simpkins and can be found on recordings with the groups Askimbo, Cure for Pain, That Damn Sasquatch, The Schofields, The Ordinary Two, and Muchly Suchwise. Nowadays, I regularly record and perform with my project and the group Muchly Suchwise. Check out John Simpkins and The Paid Acquaintances and Muchly Suchwise on all streaming platforms.

What do you think about happiness?
I find playing music with and for other people to be quite rewarding for a variety of reasons.

Collaborative music-making fosters a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, enhancing interpersonal skills as musicians learn to communicate through tempo, dynamics, and improvisation. The joy derived from collaborative music-making goes beyond the technical aspects, tapping into the emotional resonance of shared expression.

The social connections forged during these musical endeavors can lead to lasting friendships, creating a positive feedback loop of support and encouragement. In essence, the happiness derived from playing music with and for others stems from the harmonious blend of creativity, connection, and the shared pursuit of a common passion. This is why performing and teaching trumpet has always brought me so much joy.

Pricing:

• $30.00 half-hour lessons online or at my studio in North Denver.
• Hire one of my groups at $200.00 an hour. Two-hour minimum.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://johnstrumpet.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnsimpkins23/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.simpkins.986
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5K47HEZ_jiA9LfN6gGWvFQ
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QGSxrfYt2krIsftVcPxkB