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IMPROMPTU INTRODUCTION
As you have probably already gathered, I work on the “musical” end of musical theater. I began playing piano when I was 11, and soon after started accompanying for community theater productions. In high school, I discovered the world of “arranging” and “orchestrating” and ran with it. I knew I wanted to put my own spin on music, and I felt musical theater was the perfect place to express myself through instrumental arrangement.
In 1994, I saw a high school production of “Dreamgirls”, and fell in love with both the show, and the idea of ‘contemporary pop music’ being used in a musical. I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s, but also always had a huge appreciation for music of the 60’s and 70’s, especially the Motown era. The idea of taking rhythm section ‘grooves’ and adding an orchestra for color and emotion seemed the best of all worlds.
As musical theater evolves, I see a fresh new sound of “show tunes” coming around the corner. I hope to contribute to that fresh sound, by combining traditional elements with contemporary pop music. Taking a cue from revolutionary Broadway orchestrators like Harold Wheeler and Ralph Burns, I hope to keep musical theater fresh and hip, but never lose sight of the opportunity of ‘escape’ it can provide to all of us.
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INFLUENCES/FAVORITE ARTISTS
Broadway Orchestrators - Ralph Burns, Michael Starobin, Harold Wheeler, William David Brohn, Michael Gibson, Bruce Coughlin. Each and every one does what they do brilliantly, and I’ve learned so much from what each has contributed to the world of orchestration.
Popular Artists/Producers– Anything Motown, Beatles, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, The Clark Sisters, The Winans, Smokey Norful, Kirk Franklin, Jason Mraz, Walter Afanaseiff, David Foster, Ben Folds, Joss Stone
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BIO
Born and raised just outside of NYC in central NJ, Jesse has worked internationally as a music director, arranger, and pianist. He is recognized across the country as music director/arranger for pop singer Clay Aiken. His work with Mr. Aiken has spanned from conducting Christmas concerts since 2004, to assembling, arranging, and orchestrating his latest summer symphonic tour. Jesse has and continues to work extensively in the musical theatre world as well. Music Directions credits include: Saved (Playwrights Horizons); Xanadu (First National Tour); Bare-A Pop Opera (Off-Broadway, Cast Recording); Dreamgirls (Critically acclaimed Philadelphia revival); Bright Lights, Big City; Barry Manilow’s Copacabana; The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Detroit-Assistant); A Chorus Line; Guys & Dolls; A Little Night Music; Little Shop of Horrors; as well as readings of new musicals Sunfish (NAMT); Rooms; Hurricane (NYMF); and Up In The Air (by Henry Krieger & Bill Russell). Orchestration/Arrangement credits include: Glory Days (Also Music Supervisor-Signature Theatre/Broadway);The Ritz (Broadway); Rooms-A Rock Romance (Off-Broadway, also Music Supervisor); Peep Show (Planet Hollywood-Las Vegas); Beach; Bright Lights, Big City; The J.A.P. Chronicles; Pippin (Goodspeed/Tour-Dance Arrangements); Junie B. Jones (Theatreworks);Chess (2003 Concert); HAIR (2004 Concert); Seth Rudetsky’s Broadway 101; BCEFA Easter Bonnet Opening (since 2003); and others. Recordings include “Rooms” (Off-Broadway Cast Recording), “Glory Days”-OBC; “Dreaming Wide Awake-The Music of Scott Alan”, “Keys”, “Hair” (2005 Grammy Nominated Recording), and “bare-The Album”.
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