Gabriel Mervine: Live at Nocturne

Octave Records has released its first live album, Jazz trumpeter Gabriel Mervine’s Live at Nocturne. Recorded in DSD 256, Live at Nocturne captures the you-are-there excitement, spontaneity and interplay of Gabriel’s quartet as they perform a set of Brazilian- and European-flavored jazz. The album showcases Gabriel’s virtuoso trumpet playing and the distinctive stylings of accordionist/vocalist Alicia Jo Straka, along with Patrick McDevitt on acoustic bass and drummer Braxton Kahn.

“This was a first endeavor for both Octave Records and myself,” said Gabriel, a world-class musician who has worked with Natalie Cole, Christian McBride, Terence Blanchard, the Temptations, the Who, and many others. “I picked music that was fun for the band to play, fun to learn, and fun for the audience to listen to. We kind of jumped in, set up the gear and went for it.”

Live at Nocturne was recorded in DSD 256 to capture the true sound of the quartet as it would be heard at a live performance. An AKG vintage C24 tube condenser mic was used as the main stereo microphone, placed in front of the group. All the sound from Gabriel’s horn was captured on this mic. Geffel M930 mics were employed for Alicia’s accordion and vocals, and a stereo pair of DPA 4006a omnidirectional overheads were used on the drums. The mics went into a Manley Force tube preamplifier and Merging Technologies Pyramix 14 recording system. The album was recorded and mixed by Paul McGowan in Octave Records’ state-of-the-art DSD facility, and mastered by Gus Skinas.

Gabriel Mervine – Trumpet & Cornet
Alicia Straka – Accordion
Patrick McDevitt – Bass
Braxton Kahn – Drums