Taken from his 2021 album ‘Soul Jazz’ comes the dexterous ‘Stirred’ from sax-man Merlon Devine. It is the third single from what is Devine’s eighth solo recording and was written by Devine with producer Matt Godina who has worked with smooth jazz exponents such as Darren Rahn, Julian Vaughn, Nicholas Cole and Lin Rountree.
Godina also features on keys with the line-up being completed by bass player Kevin “Mr. Kevin Jerome” Stancil and drummer Lester Estelle, Jr.
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas to parents who pastored a church, his music is informed by influences such as those brought by Grover Washington, Jr., Najee, George Howard and Kirk Whalum.
As Merlon explains “My love for contemporary jazz grew as I grew as a player. Listening to these saxophonists, mixed with the soulful and heartfelt riffs I was hearing at church, shaped me into what I am today”.