We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Luke Brimhall. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Luke below.

Luke, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

This topic spoke to me because I just released my most meaningful project and it happens to be my debut release as a leader. I have been a professional musician for nearly 20 years and I had yet to release my own music until now. When I set out to do this project, I knew that I wanted it to be less about myself and more about the people in my life who have inspired me. I selected the album title, Dedication, because the work is a tribute to those in my life whom I love, those who have passed, and those who have shaped my musical journey. Dedication represents who I am as a musician and the things to which I am dedicated: my faith, my family, and my craft.

Luke, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Luke Brimhall and I am a jazz trombonist living in the Washington D.C. area. I got into music, as many of us do, as a young child but I wasn’t serious about music until high school. Around 16, I was obsessed with playing the trombone and I sought out every opportunity to play music with anyone that wanted to play. I eventually went on to study music in college but really found my niche in jazz music. I started listening to jazz trombone legends like J.J. Johnson, Curtis Fuller, Bill Watrous, and Carl Fontana and I couldn’t get enough. My passion led me to a degree in jazz studies from the University of North Florida, jobs at Disneyland and on cruise ships around the world, to pursuing a masters degree at the University of North Texas. After earning my master’s, I began teaching and freelancing in Texas. I then learned about an opportunity to play in a group called the Jazz Ambassadors in the U.S. Army. After touring the U.S. 100 days every a year with the Jazz Ambassadors, there was an opportunity to change positions within the Army and not travel so much so I could spend more time with my family. I now play in another world-class jazz ensemble called The U.S. Army Blues and have been with that group for 8 years. I have served in the Army for 13 years while also pursuing my own projects on the side.

You can stream my music online on your favorite streaming services. You can also find my music on my website where you can learn more about me and what I do.

I also freelance in the Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia areas playing any style of music that I am called to do.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My family is what drove me to start recording my own music. Each song I wrote for my new record was for a friend or a member of my family. They inspired me to write my music and encouraged me to record and get it out to the world. I really wanted to have something to pass along to my children that they can have and say “hey, my dad did this.” Without their support, I may have never done this project because I have been in the industry for a long time and tend to see a lot of “look at me.” As a jazz musician, you really are selling yourself, your brand is you, and I am wired for ‘don’t look at me.” So I credit my family for driving my creative journey forward and I now have plans to record a second album in the next 2 years.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I struggled for a long time with not being perfect and it’s probably why I waited until 40 to actually record an album. The older I get, the less I care about what others think of me. I have generally always doubted my ability and what I have to offer even though my success in the field as a freelancer and performer has proved contrary to that notion. Those thoughts are self-inflicted wounds that we suffer as creatives that prevent us for ever taking a chance. My song isn’t good enough, I didn’t play /sing / perform well enough, people will hate it, etc. I would encourage everyone to take a chance and get something done. Don’t worry about all of the maybes and just do it. Don’t be so insecure about your project. Some people will absolutely love it – this is true and you can believe that! And some people might not like it or even hate it. But everyone will respect someone who is does something and is unapologetically who they are. Art is a space that welcomes all people to create and try something new. Plant your first seed, water it, and watch it grow!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lukebrimhall.com
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@lukebrimhall?feature=shared
• Other: Music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music.