Today we’d like to introduce you to Dezmond Mitchell.
Hi Dezmond, 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 backstories with our readers.
Music has been in my life since I was young. I sang in the church choir before picking up saxophone in middle school. I fell in love with the saxophone and music in general. It gave me a sense of self-worth and validation that I really needed at the time. It introduced me to new people that I still consider my friends for life and experiences that I would have never had without being involved in the band and music. My interest in doing music professionally grew once I got to college and was a part of the Grambling State University’s “World Famed” Tiger Marching Band. My very first performance had me fly to California and perform for thousands of people. That was also my first time leaving the South and flying on an airplane. The love and excitement that was shown from all of the people honestly changed my life and how I saw music. From there, I spent my the rest of my college life enjoying the lifestyle and building up musical skills and experiences. I had my first single my last year of college, and since graduation, I’ve been playing saxophone for church to keep my chops and to make some extra money. Today, I work as an elementary school music teacher sharing my love for music and life in general with our future, and every day when I leave, I’m working on something related, whether it’s practicing saxophone, producing new music, or listening for inspiration. Recently, I was one of four performers at the Black Boy Art Show in Dallas, and all of the creativity in the room has awoken something in me. Now I’m ready to take my craft to another level.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I expected challenges to come my way because I was trying to do something out of the ordinary. Balancing school and everyday real-world problems was a problem that a lot of times I failed to solve. I was evicted three times in a two-year time span and had my car towed twice. Even after graduating, the hard times didn’t completely stop. I moved in with my dad and got summer job that I hated and was so tired every day I barely had enough energy to work on my music. What’s worse is that I was trying to make a name for myself in a city where it feels like everyone else is already where you want to be.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work as an elementary school teacher and a gigging musician. I mainly play saxophone, but I also write, arrange, compose, produce, and DJ. Everyone who knows me knows that I currently play saxophone at my church every Sunday. What I would say that I’m most proud of is graduating college and being able to teach the future musicians… I spent 7 years in undergrad, and that affected my confidence and self-esteem seeing people around me succeeding in where I thought that I was failing. Graduating showed me what comes from perseverance, and the lessons I’ve learned from mistakes I made are applied to my everyday life. The only thing that sets me apart from other saxophonists is the approach I take in my style of music and how market myself as a musician. The care I put into every part of my music to give to make each second enjoyable. My songs are like my kids.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My college band director, Dr. Larry Pannell, gifted me the saxophone that I play on today. I came to jazz band practice late one day trying to fix my old beat-up one, and he gave me one from his collection so I “wouldn’t have an excuse to be late again.” I appreciate every musician and music teacher that was in my life prior to today. My high school band director exposed me to a lot of good music and music-related experiences like performing in concerts, and that allowed to people who had similar interests as me even outside of music. Through those few connections, I was able to get opportunities to play at events through the bonds I’ve made with others. With that experience, I was able to market myself as a professional musician and have the experience to back it up.
Pricing:
- Dtremon Live $100.00/hour
- DJ Dtrémon $100.00/hour
- Saxophone Lessons $25.00
- Single-Selection $100.00
- Composition/Arrangements/Instrumentals
Contact Info:
- Website: https://book-dtremon.webflow.io
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saxmandtre/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dez.mitchell.79?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dezmond-mitchell-65b4b3162/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/dezmondmitchell4
- Other: https://dtrmon.setmore.com/?fbclid=PAAaZmL8J6zuEZ-ACWw5CzzQpiKkKNTbKKHvP4d6tDSRDEKMOjWFP4oAhUO1A&instant_experiences_enabled=true
