Hermon Mehari

Trumpeter Hermon Mehari was the winner of the 2008 National Trumpet Competiton and placed 2nd in the International Trumpet Guild competition in Sydney, Australia. As a founding member of Diverse, whose eponymous debut album on Seattle-based Origin Records reached the Top 40 on the Jazzweek Radio Charts, Hermon has performed professionally with noted saxophonists Jaleel Shaw, Logan Richardson, and Bobby Watson. He has also performed with Hubert Laws, Randy Brecker, Paul Mckee, Dave Pietro, Clay Jenkins and many other great musicians. The band Diverse notably shared a double bill with Roy Haynes’ Birds of a Feather band as headliners of the 2008 Gene Harris Jazz Festival.

Hermon received his BM in Jazz Performance from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance in 2010. He freelances in and out of Kansas City with all types of groups varying in styles such as Progressive Rock, Hip-Hop, Folk, Neo-Soul, R&B and much more. In addition to performing, Hermon dedicates himself to being a serious educator. He has participated in clinics and panels around the country and is currently the director of the Kansas City High School All Star Jazz Ensemble.

Kansas City Jazz Club Questionnaire:

How long have you been a professional musician?

12 Years

What clubs do you regularly perform at?

The Blue Room, The Majestic, Kill Devil Club, recordBar, Take Five Coffee Bar, Mutual Musicians Foundation, Louie’s Wine Dive

What groups do you perform with?

Diverse and The Hermon Mehari Trio

What do you want to be known for among Kansas City music fans?

Loving to play all styles of music.

Give us a random fact about yourself?

I love great espresso.