Daniel Treviño’s Bridges: A Piano Journey of Patience, Spirit & Lifelong Dreams
- shambhumusic
- Feb 13
- 3 min read
In this Artist Spotlight, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mexican pianist and composer Daniel Treviño about his debut solo album Bridges.
What unfolds in our 13-minute conversation is more than the story of a record. It is the story of a quiet, persistent dream — one that waited patiently for decades before finding its moment.
A River of Beautiful Emotions
As a teenager in Guadalajara, Daniel first encountered the music of Windham Hill Records through friends in junior high school. Listening to artists like George Winston, Michael Manring, and the band Shadowfax, he describes feeling as though a river of beautiful emotions had opened inside him.
The piano became more than an instrument. It became a language.
Though Daniel pursued an engineering degree and built a career in technology, music never left him. It lived quietly alongside his professional life, like an ember waiting for oxygen.
The Dream of a Solo Piano Album
Bridges is not Daniel’s first recording, but it is his first as a solo artist. From a young age, he dreamed of creating a solo piano album and, eventually, working with Will Ackerman at Imaginary Road Studios.
That dream became reality. After reaching out and following the process, Daniel entered the studio having practiced intensely for over a year. He recorded the entire album in a single day.
Daniel's philosophy is simple: preparation creates freedom. Unexpected things will always happen in a session, he explains. But the deeper the preparation, the greater the likelihood that the music can unfold naturally. And unfold it did.
Collaboration That Elevates
Though rooted in solo piano, Bridges blossoms through collaboration. The album features contributions from Charlie Bisharat, Michael Manring, Jeff Haynes and Noah Wilding, alongside producers Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton.
Daniel speaks warmly of the experience. Having listened to Will’s music most of his life, walking into the studio felt strangely familiar. The session felt less like a formal production and more like gathering with friends.
One standout track, “Friends in Vermont,” captures that spirit. Beginning with Daniel alone at the piano, the piece gradually expands as each musician joins, creating a tapestry of sound that feels intimate and expansive at once.
“They brought incredible music,” Daniel reflects, “a unique sound that took the songs to higher levels.”
A Melody That Waited 30 Years
If patience has a theme song, it might be “Plant Garden.”
Daniel first conceived the melody nearly 30 years ago during a family Christmas gathering. Rather than rushing to complete it, he allowed the composition to mature slowly over time. Only when it felt ready did he bring it into the studio.
That long gestation reflects a central value in Daniel’s artistry: creativity should be nurtured, not forced.
Like a garden, it unfolds in its own season.
Music as a Bridge Inward
Spirituality is not an accessory in Daniel’s life. It is foundational. He views music as a language of the universe — a medium through which we can reflect, deepen self-awareness, and elevate consciousness.
In a world that moves at relentless speed, Daniel hopes Bridges offers listeners a pause. A doorway. A gentle invitation to reconnect with their inner world.
“If my music can help someone on their spiritual path,” he shares, “I would feel very pleased.”
That aspiration is embedded in the album’s title. Bridges is not simply a collection of compositions. It is an offering — a bridge between outer life and inner reflection.
A Journey Still Unfolding
Looking ahead, Daniel hopes to continue creating music that nourishes his spirit and resonates with others. His story reminds us that dreams do not expire. They may evolve. They may wait. But when tended with patience and preparation, they bloom.
And sometimes, they bloom in a single day.
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