Dante Alric brings the weight of lived experience into every note he plays. His blues-inflected trumpet sound is gritty, raw, and deeply soulful—he can make a single sustained note feel like a story with no words. Inspired by early jazz, gospel brass, and Southern blues, Dante’s playing has become a signature of emotional clarity.
Born in the American South, Dante first picked up the trumpet in a church ensemble and never put it down. Over the years, he developed a style rooted in gospel phrasing, blues bends, and rich low-register tone. He plays like someone testifying—truth in every breath.
His EP Gravel Heart is a trumpet-forward folk-blues record that blends live takes with storytelling. The track “Black River Blues” has become a favorite in live sets for its moaning, echoing lines that feel almost vocal in expression.
In the classroom, Dante is a patient, intuitive mentor. He teaches students to treat every note like a sentence—to find feeling before flash. He’s especially passionate about helping players develop tone that feels lived-in and genuine.
Dante’s sound doesn’t need embellishment. It thrives in space, in silence, and in honest intention.