JESSENEWS
Jesse to join 50th Anniversary Tour of West Side Story!

Jesse will fulfill a lifelong dream when he assumes the drumset chair in the pit orchestra of the 50th Anniversary Tour of Leonard Bernstein's timeless musical "West Side Story." Jesse will fly to Niedernhausen, Germany in late May for rehearsals. The first leg of the tour kicks off in Dusseldorf, Germany on July 2 where the show will run for 3 weeks before continuing onto the Sadler's Well Theatre in London's famed West End! After 6 weeks in London, the tour will make its final stop in Athens, Greece for a 3 weeks stay at the Badminton Theatre.

Click here for the show schedule.

Click here to visit the tour's website.
Jesse named Director of Camp Jam Kidz

Camp Jam, a rock 'n' roll summer camp for kids and young adults, has named Jesse the Director of their Camp Jam Kidz program. The program teaches kids ages 7-10 a little bit of everything about being in a rock band including instrument technique, stage presence, teamwork, songwriting, gig promotion, creating posters and flyers, and much more. If your kids loved School of Rock, they will LOVE Camp Jam! Click here for more information.
STUDIO UPDATE

Jesse is currently in the studio as one-fourth of the Chicago band Dragon & Jones, led by indie singer/songwriter John Klos. The band is working hard on their forthcoming album which was tracked at the legendary Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, Minnesota and is now in post-production work at Electrical Audio in Chicago.

Visit the band's website by clicking here.

Check back frequently for updates on the album release and more tour dates!
Jesse & Vic Firth Team Up!


Vic Firth, Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of drumsticks & mallets has graciously added Jesse to their Educational Team. Jesse has also received a personal endorsement from the company and will be playing exclusively Vic Firth sticks, mallets, & brushes.

Click here to visit the Vic Firth website.

New Album Out!

Jesse appears on the new Christmas album Carol of the Bells by the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, a 19 piece big band from Indianapolis. The album features the the arrangements of trombonist/leader Brent Wallarab, the vocal talents of the incomparable Everett Greene and the solo playing of co-leader Mark Buselli, Brent Wallarab, Frank Glover, and many others. One listen to this album and it will surely make its home amongst your collection of great holiday music!

Click here to buy Carol of the Bells.

Click here to read a review.

Click here to listen to samples of Carol of the Bells.

Click here to visit The Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra online.

Jesse accepting private students


Jesse has finally set up his new studio space in Chicago and has openings for new students. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Lessons are taught once a week for the duration of one hour and cost $40. Jesse has been teaching privately for over 10 years and is a former Associate Instructor of Percussion at Indiana University. All styles (rock, funk, jazz, latin, country, drum 'n' bass, rudimental, etc.) are taught as well as essential skills such as 4 way coordination, stick control, soloing, sight reading, grooves, fills, transcribing, etc. Jesse also teaches "classical" percussion (snare drum & mallets). His lessons utilize a combination of traditional instruction and innovative techniques that not only challenge the student both creatively and physically, but also make lessons fun and enjoyable.

Read the online listing here.

For more information, please email Jesse by clicking here.
Jesse "brings vigor and variety" with James Moody at Chicago's Jazz Showcase


Jesse performs with legendary saxman James Moody and his quartet featuring Mike Kocour on piano and Larry Gray on bass. The quartet's run at the Jazz Showcase is from Tuesday, August 15 thru Sunday, August 20. Chicago Tribune critic Howard Reich reviewed the opening night's performance.

Read the review here.

For more information visit the "shows" page.
Like Minds Quintet performs at North Sea Jazz Festival


The Like Minds Quintet, an original jazz quintet led by Jesse, gave two performances in Rotterdam, Netherlands one of which was at the North Sea Jazz Festival in July.

See the program listing here.

For more information on The Like Minds Quintet, visit the "projects" page.
Second Hand Poets return to studio


Second Hand Poets has returned to the studio to follow up their 2004 sophmore effort "Virginia City Lounge." Tracking of the new record, tentatively titled "How To Not Be Successful in Rock and Roll" is complete and a tentative release date of January 2007 has been set.

For more information on Second Hand Poets, click here or visit the "projects" page.
Second Hand Poets fall tour dates announced

Second Hand Poets have announced their fall tour dates. More shows will be announced shortly.

To find the SHP show nearest you, click here or visit the "shows" page.
Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra in studio


Jesse is currently recording with renowed Indianapolis big band The Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra. Their forthcoming record will be the third offering released by the band and will focus on the ingenius arrangements of holiday favorites by the band's leaders, Mark Buselli and Brent Wallarab. The cd will be available before the holiday season.

For more information on the BWJO, click here.
Like Minds to play jazz fests in Illinois & Texas


Jesse's original jazz quintet, Like Minds, will be giving performances at both the Elmhurst Jazz Festival in Elmhurst, IL on February 24th, 2006 and the North Texas/Addison Jazz Festival in Addison, Texas on April 1, 2006.

Visit the Elmhurst Jazz Festival on the web here.
Visit the North Texas/Addison jazz festival on the web here.

For more information on The Like Minds Quintet, visit the "projects" page.
"Clapping Music" in Percussive Notes


Jesse's arrangement of Steve Reich's minimalist classic "Clapping Music" was included in a Percusive Notes article by Wilco drummer, friend, and fellow Reich enthusiast, Glenn Kotche. In the article, Glenn discusses the different takes on arranging Reich's piece for solo percussionist.

Click here to view the article (.pdf).

For more information on Jesse's "Clapping Music for Solo Percussionist," go to the "projects" page.