Meet Dylan Quint | Trumpeter, Pianist, Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dylan Quint and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dylan, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
“Follow your passion, and everything else will fall into place.” I’ve heard this a lot, especially in the world of music, but honestly, I don’t think it’s enough. While passion is important, I believe that determination and sacrifice are the real drivers of success. In music, and in life, work beats talent every time. Talent might give you a head start, but it’s the work no one sees that determines success.

For me, building the life I want in music isn’t just about following my passion—it’s about understanding the sacrifices I need to make. There are areas of my life that I have to set aside to put in the time and effort needed to improve. I know that if I want to achieve the level of success I’m aiming for, I can’t expect things to fall into place without hard work and tough decisions. It means choosing to be unconventional, choosing habits that question the mass of people out there. I’ve learned to embrace the work and keep the idea that the best outcomes result from the dedication to consistently show up, even when it’s hard.

The truth is that everything really does lie in my hands and I can’t blame anyone else for where I am or where I’m not—everyone has their own way of making it work and it’s never easy. The key is knowing that no matter how difficult the sacrifice, it’s all part of the bigger picture. In the end, it’s that grit and willingness to keep showing up that makes it all happen.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I appreciate the support. When it comes to my work and career, especially as a trumpet player based in Los Angeles, everything I do is rooted in a deep desire for authenticity. Whenever I pick up my trumpet and play in any group, my goal is always to make sure what I’m playing comes from a genuine place. I want every note, every phrase, to speak with intention and to resonate with meaning. Whether I’m performing with a jazz ensemble or playing in recording, I approach it all with the mindset that what I’m playing has to matter—both in the musical sense and in how it connects with the listeners and musicians.

Jazz, in particular, has been my main focus for years. It’s such a rich, dynamic genre, full of room for individual expression and improvisation. Playing trumpet in jazz allows me to really explore and communicate through sound, and it pushes me to always think on my feet.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to always keep my focus on the future. Music is a long game, and I’ve learned not to get too caught up in the present or in any setbacks that might come my way. I try to think of each performance, each practice session, as part of a bigger journey—one that’s leading me to where I want to be. I firmly believe that the work you put in today is what shapes the future you’re building. And with music, especially, the possibilities feel endless. There’s always something new to explore, whether it’s a new sound, a new challenge, or a different concept of playing. That’s the beauty of it, and it’s what keeps me excited about the work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, if it were me, I would wait until night time and then just take in the lights. Get somewhere high up and just feel the vibe of the city because there is nowhere else like it, and you can hear the beautiful silence at night that’s so peaceful. You also don’t really appreciate the architecture and the buildings until you are up close and everything seems so much more massive and lively.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a huge shout out to Dr. Andrew Huberman. His thoughts on neuroscience and psychology have proven to be key to my continued progress in music and life. One concept he talks about a lot on his podcast that really resonates with me is tweaking the time I work and eat to make the most of it. The benefits of working in the morning on an empty stomach has proven to be so beneficial for me and the amount I can accomplish in one day has gone up a lot as well as my focus throughout the entire day.

The thought of taking distractions away from the brain has also been crucial in my efficiency when I’m practicing music. When I don’t have the option for my brain to go to something else, it makes it tremendously easier to get effective work done. You are then working for your brain, and not against it.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_dylanquint_?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dylanq1871?si=DJOrx62cxgFdfY1Z

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@_dylanquint_?_t=8rLrzcmIEAM&_r=1

Image Credits
Kian (@k1ank), Caylee Rubio