A proud Merit alum, Will’s journey from Merit’s Alice S. Pfaelzer Conservatory to the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and into the heart of Chicago’s music scene has established Will as an innovative force in our city’s musical landscape
In this interview, Will reflects on his musical beginnings at Merit, the importance of mentorship, and what success means to him today. He also gives a preview of his upcoming album Themes for Dreams and shares what he’s most looking forward to about returning to his Merit roots for Play On.
Tell me about your relationship with Merit. How did you get started, and what kind of impact did your time studying here have?
I started with the Conservatory my freshman year. When I first started, we were back at the old building on Polk Street [Dearborn Station] in the basement. That was a special time. I was 14, going down there every Saturday. It was really fun.
And I was lucky to have some seniors that I really looked up to, like Marquis Hill and Ryan Nyther, some really amazing trumpet players who were just above me. I was like, wow, the bar is set extremely high! Coming from my grade school, I was the hot shot, you know, so it humbled me real quick.
When Marquis and Ryan graduated, it opened up the trumpet chair in the Honors Jazz Combo my sophomore year, so I was able to get in right away and really hit the ground running.
It was really cool to be around all these other trumpet players at Merit, the best of the best in the city; it was inspiring to hear everyone play and strive to be better every week. That was really a game changer for me.
Do you have a favorite Merit memory that sticks with you?
I remember the Honors Jazz Combo went to the Savannah Jazz Festival to do a performance. I think this must have been my sophomore year of high school, so I was 15 or 16. We drove down to Savannah in a 15-passenger van, and it was my first taste of the road in that way, so that made a big impression.
I also remember when Bud Herseth [former principal trumpet at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra] came in to give a master class; that was really memorable for me. And of course, just the fun community at Merit—grabbing a hot dog upstairs at Dearborn Station with the other kids, hanging out in the community room once we moved into the new building—it was just a special place to be every Saturday.
“The definition of success certainly evolves over time, but I try and remain grateful for where I am in my career right now and the privilege of getting to make the music that I want to make.”
How do you define success for yourself as a musician today? Has that changed over time?
I think it’s always changing. When I graduated high school, success meant being able to make a living playing music, period. It didn’t matter what type of gigs I was doing, whether it was background cocktail hours or wedding gigs or salsa gigs, whatever it might be to pay the bills.
After I graduated from Oberlin, I did the gig scene for a little bit, but I got burnt out. I decided that I wanted to focus on doing music that I really wanted to play and take the artistic side of things more seriously. And sacrifices have to be made – if I’m not going to do wedding gigs, I’m going to have to get a job at a pizza place or work construction for my dad to pay bills.
At that point, success was being able to make a living as a musician, doing exactly what I loved, making the type of music that I wanted to make. I still feel like that’s the dream, and I’m able to do that right now, so I feel like I’m living the dream.
What are you working on right now? Anything folks should be looking out for on the horizon?
Well, I have another Resavoir album coming out at the beginning of next year. It’s called Themes for Dreams, and it’s showing the more ambient, ethereal side things in the Resavoir universe. There are no drums, lots of strings and synths. It’s very pretty, kind of a “sleepy time” album – perfect to play before bed, or if you’re feeling stressed out and want to lower your blood pressure.
What advice would you give your younger self, just getting started on your musical journey?
Listen to your gut.
Listen to your mentors.
Stay true to yourself.
Surround yourself with people you admire and want to learn from and grow with.
What are you most looking forward to about performing at Play On at City Winery?
Getting to see the Honors Jazz Combo perform! I’m really looking forward to playing for them, meeting the students, and just spending time with them. It’s so rewarding to work with the youth, especially people who are part of a program that meant so much to me. It’s going to be great.
And honestly, it means a lot to be recognized by Merit in this way. I remember going back there after Oberlin and thinking, “Maybe one day I’ll get a little plaque or something!” I wasn’t on the wall back then; I thought, I still have a little more work to do, but I’m going to get there. And now, to be part of this benefit—it feels really good to be acknowledged by Merit, because I have nothing but respect for the school and fond memories of being a student there.
