Dr. David Mesquitic Celebrates Album Release, The Trio: Volume One

Austin, Texas – Texas’ own, pianist Dr. David Mesquitic returns to his home state this weekend to celebrate the release of his second album as a leader, The Trio: Volume One, under the Bandstand Presents label. The album release tour begins in Austin Sunday May 12 with an afternoon set by the Dr. David Mesquitic Trio at Georgetown’s First Presbyterian Church, presented by the Austin Jazz Society. Tickets can be purchased through their website. Later that night the Trio takes the stage at 8:00pm downstairs in the basement at Austin’s storied Elephant Room. The trio features colleagues Dr. Ryan Hagler on bass and Daniel DuFour on drums. The release tour continues a steady pace of milestones and accomplishments for Mesquitic. He just earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Texas while maintaining his teaching duties at the University of Wyoming as a Lecturer of Jazz Piano. He performs regularly across the region’s Front Range, the greater Denver area, and beyond. Just weeks before the album release, Dr. Mesquitic was also recently named a 2024 Diversity Fellow with The United States Air Force Band alongside Julie Coggiola, and Gina Benalcázar López. During the upcoming week-long residency in Washington D.C, the fellows will collaborate, rehearse, and perform with the famed Airmen of Note with performances June 7 Air Force Memorial and June 8 at National Harbor. Following his stop in Austin, Dr. Mesquitic returns home to the Rio Grande Valley with a performance at Valley Keyboards - Miller Recital Hall in McAllen, Texas on Monday May 13 (reservations sold out as of this writing) and Tuesday May 14 at San Antonio’s Jazz TX, located in the Pearl District. Austin Jazz Review (AJR) caught up with Dr. David Mesquitic (DM) as he reflected on his educational journey and the new album: AJR: How does it feel to come back to graduate with the Doctorate in Musical Arts from University of Texas at Austin and celebrate the new album?

DM: It feels great coming back to my stomping grounds for my doctoral graduation and tour. Austin holds a special place in my heart and I’m grateful I got the professional experience as well as the academic training to equip me for the years to come.

AJR: It looks like we can expect Volume Two in the future, but can you share some thoughts about Volume One, the recording and how it came about?

DM: This is actually my 2nd trio record as bandleader. The first one is titled “Preamble.” This second record really highlights my time in Austin working with bassist Dr. Ryan Hagler and drummer Daniel Dufour. We consistently worked multiple nights a week as a rhythm section for various band leaders throughout Texas including traveling acts. We built a special musical chemistry and close friendship. I was compelled to document this music into a record. There will definitely be a Volume 2! It’s just a matter of time and funding.

AJR: You were recently named a 2024 Diversity Fellow with U.S. Air Force band’s Airmen of Note, how did it feel to get the news, and what excites you the most about the residency in June?

DM: It was an unexpected surprise and glad I was named a fellow. The one aspect I am looking forward to the most is having one of the most swingin’ big bands in the country perform my original big band music while I sit on piano as a guest artist.

--- Photo Credit: Bandstand Presents