Future funk septet The Motet is currently celebrating the release of their recent album Totem with an upcoming winter tour. Yesterday, ahead of their final stop on a five-night Colorado run, the Denver-based collective announced that their trumpeter Gabe Mervine is leaving the band and will be replaced by Chicago native Parris Fleming. The Motet are Dave Watts (drums), Joey Porter (keyboards), Garrett Sayers (bass), Ryan Jalbert (guitar), Lyle Divinsky (vocals), Drew Sayers (saxophone), and have a massive tour ahead of them–including a co-headlining play at Red Rocks with BoomBox and The New Mastersounds. Fleming is more than qualified to step in for Gabe, having shared the stage with Pretty Lights, Big Gigantic, Dumpstaphunk, The Revivalists, and many more. It sounds like the member switch will work out for everyone, as Gabe and The Motet have written in the following notes to fans.

Read Gabe’s message to fans below:

As some of you may have heard, I will be leaving The Motet this month. The last eight years of performing with these guys have taught me so much about loving music and loving life. We’ve become family, and the people I’ve met along the way are the absolute best! The opportunity to meet true music lovers all over the country has given me so much faith in this art form and has been such a source of inspiration. I will be continuing to collaborate with The Motet family all the time and couldn’t be more excited for what this new year will bring them with Chicago native Parris Fleming taking over the trumpet chair for me. All the love to anyone I’ve met, partied with, jammed with, talked philosophy with and shared the stage with along the way.

In response, read The Motet’s supportive message:

As you just read, Gabe will be taking a break from the road. We’re so sad to see our brother go, but love him and support him in his transition. We could not be more grateful for what he has brought, not only to us as a band and as people, but to the whole of the music community. We can’t wait to see what his talents and heart bring to the world in the future. Gabe will be passing the trumpet torch onto the incredibly talented Parris Fleming. We are so excited about this new chapter of The Motet, as well as future collaborations with both Parris and Gabe. We hope to see you tonight to celebrate our brother Gabe in Fort Collins before Parris takes over full time!

The Motet will head back out on the road in February for a massive winter and spring tour. Tickets for The Motet’s upcoming 2018 winter and spring tour are available here.

The Motet 2018 Tour Dates
2/2 – Crested Butte, CO – CB Public House
2/3 – Crested Butte, CO – CB Public House
2/8 – New Orleans, LA – Joy Theatre – w/Lettuce
2/9 – Houston, TX – House of Blues – w/Lettuce
2/10 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s – w/Lettuce
2/14 – San Diego, CA – Observatory North Park – w/Lettuce
2/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Wiltern Theatre – w/Lettuce
2/16 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater – w/Lettuce
2/17 – Crystal Bay, NV – Crystal Bay Club – w/The Main Squeeze
2/18 – Crystal Bay, NV – Crystal Bay Club – w/Monophonics
2/22 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
2/23 – Jackson, WY – Pink Garter
2/24 – Jackson, WY – Pink Garter
3/4 – Phoenix, AZ – McDowell Mountain Music Fest
3/14 – Bozeman, MT – The Rialto
3/15 – Missoula, MT – Top Hat
3/16 – Sandpoint, ID – The Hive
3/17 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
3/18 – Bellingham, WA – Wild Buffalo – w/The Russ Liquid Test
3/22 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount – w/Lettuce
3/23 – Port Chester, NY – Capitol Theatre – w/Lettuce
3/24 – Port Chester, NY – Capitol Theatre – w/Lettuce
4/4 – Virginia Beach, VA – Shaka’s
4/5 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
4/6 – Asbury Park, NJ – House of Independents
4/7 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
4/19 – Charleston, SC – Pour House
4/20 – Atlanta, GA – Sweetwater 420 Fest
5/27 – Napa, CA – Bottlerock Music Fest
6/2 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – w/BoomBox + The New Mastersounds