We had the good fortune of connecting with Chantil Dukart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chantil, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?

People go to shows and see all the fun and the party that goes with a musical career but what they don’t see is the hours of preparation in isolation it takes to master a craft. People also might not see the uncertainty of having to survive financially in a gig economy which truly exposed its vulnerability during the covid shutdowns. People may not see all the less glamorous gigs at restaurants and sports bars where you are playing for an audience that sometimes ignores performers which can be spiritually and emotionally challenging. Music can seem like an exciting career, but there are a lot of sacrifices made over a lifetime of performing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am excited to share the new album I am in process of recording, which I plan to release at the beginning of summer. My last album “In The Beginning” is super fun if you would like to check something out in the meantime. As Native American jazz pianist/songwriter, I hope to make my Tsimshian and Aleut family proud with my art. I want to leave a mark on music by combining jazz with Americana songwriting. With influences ranging from Nat King Cole to Ravel, Robert Glasper, Harry Connick Jr and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, my style is a reflection of the vast network of information we have access to as a society today!

Miami is the place where I truly started truly blossoming in my career and i came to love the wonderful community of artists that are there. I still go back a couple times a year to reconnect with my musical family there and to play shows.

My greatest challenge is balancing my performing and internal creative life. I spend a lot of energy doing gigs and I want to dedicate more of my energy to finishing recording the hundreds of original songs I have written because I have a feeling that a couple of those tunes could really help people going through hard times! I also want to play more curated environments where people are coming for the specific intention of having an artistic experience, versus playing background music.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Cervantes for music, Cherry Cricket for the best impossible burger in town, Eddie V’s to see my trio play every Tuesday, BirdCall for chicken fingers, Hot Springs (take your pick!) and secret camping spots that I wouldn’t want to publish for the masses 😉

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I would like to thank the Denver music scene for being so uplifting and welcoming. I truly feel a supportive and active community here and it has been a joy to become apart of it and to feel like you belong. In particular D’Vibes (producer/keyboard player) has been a huge support and an inspiration in the scene here. I would also like to thank Eddie V’s for being a stable and fun place for me to play every Tuesday and keeping my trio active on a regular basis. Stable work for musicians in this day and age is truly a blessing.

Website: Chantilmusic.com

Instagram: @Chantilmusic

Twitter: @chantilmusic

Facebook: Facebook.com/chantilmusic

Image Credits
Courtney Scout Scoutitout Media

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.