We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ernest Melton. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ernest below.
Hi Ernest, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes from enjoying what I do. I was raised in a musical family, and by the time I had reached my Junior year in high school, I knew I wanted to do something musical. I was always more of an instrumentalist and not long after leaving high school, I knew the saxophone was the instrument I enjoyed most. Thus, began my initial attempts at a career of some sort. I played with whoever gave me the opportunity, at virtually any price, place, or circumstance. I busked shopping centers, rehearsed tirelessly, practiced endlessly, and made sure to offer my services any way I could and through every platform available. In truth, the work remains fundamentally the same at all levels, but simply, for me it’s fun. My joy easily overshadows the sacrifice and continues to do so even after over a decade of working in the field of music.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a saxophonist and a musical artist. I started playing the saxophone at age 10. I attempted other instruments in my teenage years but eventually decided on the saxophone. I got my first gig at age 15 and learned that I don’t have to be famous to be compensated as an instrumentalist. I dropped out of high school in my junior year and, with the support of my family, continued to develop my career. After a few years, I started writing and releasing music within the ambiguous genre of jazz. I am constantly balancing my artistry and my work as a sideman The most special part of what I do is the diversity of the music I play and the people I meet. I recently finished a 3-year residency with a cabaret troupe and plan on using this time to return to writing music and leading my own band.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
A knowledge of business has helped me a lot. In this industry, you are forced to handle a lot of things on your own especially if you do it full-time. Your knowledge of your field and how to handle life as a “gig worker” is your only line of defense against all the issues that could arise. Study how you can optimize whatever you get from your work and develop your work so you can get more from it.
I would say next to be considerate. I’ve done a lot of work as a sideman and as the frontman and in both cases you still need to consider the issues of others. Being effective and accommodating could get you a lot in the long run. For practice study the people who you’d want to hire/procure your services get to know their goals, and try to make what you offer align with them.
Finally, I’d say versatility. I am as far from a “musical purist” as it gets. I believe it’s possible or at the very least useful, to be able to entertain multiple demographics. This concept can be applied to any industry. I would say study every niche or subcategory you can find within your field. At times you may need to adjust to what is around you, but your favorite part of what you do could just exist somewhere you haven’t looked.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was introduce me to music and encourage me to do what I enjoy
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meltonernest/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicbymelton
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernest-melton-2a736369/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfEyrs-i-fIV9pZXxtP3fWA
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ernestmelton
Image Credits
Lou Jones Daniel Hogans Jon Northington Jack Sasson Jim Funk
