Bio!
Jessie had her very first “music lessons” from some of the world's greatest singers. "As a tiny tot growing up just outside of Chicago in Evanston, IL, I constantly begged my parents to turn on Oldies 104.3. I was completely enamored with the music on that radio station: The Zombies, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Simon and Garfunkel, The Shangri-Las, The Marvelettes - the list goes on. I rode in the back of our minivan, listening intently and trying my hardest to sing along while blending in completely with each singer I heard. At the time, it was a little game for me. Little did I know, I was absorbing the music like a sponge and when I look back, it's clear that this is how I learned to sing!"
While growing up, Jessie was active in dance, theatre, and music, performing constantly. She began to focus primarily on music while studying at Lawrence University before transferring to The New School for Jazz and Contemporary music in New York City. She has studied with world renowned musicians including pianist Junior Mance and composer Ayaka Nishina.
Fast forward to 2012. Now in her early 20s and living in Brooklyn, NY, Jessie is an accomplished singer and songwriter. Her pure, soulful voice lends itself to multiple musical styles and she tends to fuse together folk, jazz, pop, and soul. In 2007 she was awarded a Downbeat Student Music Award for Best Jazz Vocalist. In 2010 she independently released a full-length jazz album entitled "Certain Surprise." After several live performances in support of this album with stops at top venues including Lula Lounge in Toronto, Mayne Stage in Chicago, SPACE in Evanston, and The Auditorium Theater in Chicago, Jessie decided to take a step back and focus on writing original material. She's been cookin' for a while now and is excited to share her original music with the universe. She’s been collaborating with a group of talented instrumentalists and is preparing to record a new album filled with her original music in the very near future! Stay tuned!