The Spirit of Music with Merlon Devine

Fresh Coast Jazz Backstage

In this episode, your host Carl Brown introduces Mr. Merlon Devine who is part of a musical family that loves to play a lot of gospel music and who has gone on to make music that soothes the soul and uplifts the spirit. Mr. Devine’s music consists of gospel, soul and jazz music. In his latest release called “Soul Jazz”, Mr. Devine brings groovin’ music that gives us a refreshing sound. He is a saxophonist who loves to minister to the hearts of people through divine, inspired music.

In this episode, he talks about why he chose to make gospel jazz, his inspirations and influences, the path that led to his music and the benefit he experiences while playing music for a living. In the 'Bout it or Doubt it’ segment, he gives us his opinion about golf and jet skiing from the Sports and Leisure category. In the last segment of the episode, you’ll hear about his concert experiences now that he’s a professional musician, his kid’s musical talent and much more. You can listen to Move, The Platform and Breathe from his album “Soul Jazz”.

Episode Highlights:

1:31 I found out that learning about music growing up in a musical family and of course, in church, that that was a rich part of living. We were so integrated into what we did every day, not just a church, but even in my home.

3:15 I love that about music, that it's able to tell a story and translate so many thoughts and images and feelings without words.

4:04 Music has such a powerful force to just ignite memories. Ignite and release endorphins in our bodies. Its’ just powerful.

7:54 For years before I even started introducing my music to the smooth jazz community, I was introducing smooth jazz to churches all over the world.

25:13 It allows us to still take a lot of those core principles. The improv and creativity and fuse it with another skill set, so to speak, or another type of genre of music and it’s just kind of growing and evolving.

Contact:

Fresh Coast Jazz Festival

Merlon Devine