132: Why Every Musician Must Bet on Themselves

What happens when talent meets opportunity and pressure at the same time?In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with Patches Stewart, a world-class trumpeter whose journey started in New Orleans and led him to stages alongside legends like Al Jarreau, Marcus Miller, and Quincy Jones.We talk about what it really looks like behind the scenes. The early days of struggle. Learning how to survive on the road. Navigating the music industry when nothing is guaranteed. And the moment when you have to decide whether you stay comfortable or step out on your own as an artist.Patches opens up about growing up surrounded by music in New Orleans, the lessons he learned from playing in horn sections versus stepping into the spotlight as a soloist, and the advice that changed everything when it came time to build something for himself.We also get into the realities of being a working musician. The discipline it takes to master an instrument like the trumpet. The pressure of performing at the highest level. And how technology has changed the way artists create, connect, and survive in today’s industry.This is more than a conversation about jazz. It is about resilience, evolution, and understanding your value in a world that constantly tries to define it for you.Connect with Patches: https://thepatchesstewart.com/