Jesse Green (born in 1971) is an American professional jazz pianist, composer, arranger, producer, and teacher. He is the son of ex-big band singer Kathy Preston and acclaimed Jazz trombonist Urbie Green. Jesse was married in June 2003 to Kristine and has three children. At 35, Jesse Green, pianist, composer, arranger, recording artist, producer, and teacher, has an extensive background in music.Contents [hide] 1 Accomplishments 2 Early work 3 Recent work 4 Public appearances 5 Personal life 6 Discography 7 External links and references
[edit] Accomplishments
In 1998 Jesse took 1st place at the American Pianist Association’s Fourth Biennial Jazz Piano Competition in Indianapolis, IN, from judges Dr. Billy Taylor, Danilo Perez and Jim Turner. As a result, he was named the first Jazz Fellow of the American Pianist Association. Together, these three winnings have brought Jesse many opportunities to perform all over the world. In May 2001, Jesse was contracted to record his third CD for Chiaroscuro Records (the distinguished jazz record label who originally signed him in 1992). The new CD “SYLVAN TREASURE” features six of Jesse’s compositions, four of which were written and performed by three of the finest jazz saxophonists around today, Phil Woods, Dave Liebman and Chris Potter. Also performing on the recording are Pat Dorian on trumpet, Bruce Cox on drums, and Frank Hauch on bass. Produced by Jesse and funded by the American Pianist Association, the CD was a tribute to his mentors. [edit] Early work
Jesse began studying classical piano at age seven, and, at age nine joined his elementary school’s concert band as a trombonist. When he was ten, he was a finalist in a nation-wide talent competition; winning for his spit-fire piano rendition of Count Basie’s Jumping at the Woodside. His numerous accomplishments in high school include District Concert Band, Regional Concert Band, All-State Jazz Ensemble, Fred Waring’s U.S. Chorus, National Honors Jazz Band, District Chorus Instrument Ensemble, and the John Philip Sousa Memorial Concert Band…all on trombone.
During his junior year in high school, he became a member of the East Stroudsburg University Jazz Ensemble. He was piano accompanist for District Chorus as well as the high school chorus, and, for five consecutive years, he was pianist for the Celebration of the Arts “COTA CATS” (a big band founded by Grammy Award winner Phil Woods). Famous guest artists with the “COTA CATS” included David Liebman, Manny Album, Al Cohn, Hal Crook, Urbie Green, and Phil Woods. The band, directed by Pat Dorian, appears each year at the COTA Jazz Festival in Delaware Water Gap, PA.
As a student at East Stroudsburg University, Jesse played trombone in the Concert Band and Brass Ensemble, and piano in the Jazz Ensemble. Notable artists that Jesse has performed with in this Jazz Ensemble include Clark Terry, Lew Tabackin, Freddie Hubbard, Al Grey, Urbie Green, Phil Woods, David Liebman, Benny Carter, and Jimmy Heath. As a trombonist, Jesse was selected two years in a row for the Inter-Collegiate Concert Band. Among the awards Jesse has received are a full scholarship Berkless College of Music, scholarship to Clark Terry’s Jazz Camp, The Celebration of the Arts Commission, East Stroudsburg University Music Department, and a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music.
At age 17, Jesse won the National Downbeat Student Award for “best extended composition and arrangement” with his original “Half & Half”. He has since written many other arrangements for big band as well as small groups. “Blues for Dad”, written for his father, legendary jazz trombonist Urbie Green, was performed by the “COTA CATS” at the 1989 COTA Jazz Festival. In 1992, Jesse recorded his debut CD “LIFT OFF” for Chiaroscuro Records with Paul Rostock on bass, Bobby Durham on drums, and featured guest Joe Cohn on guitar. [edit] Recent work
Just recently, Jesse won 1st place in The Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jakcsonville, Florida. Held in conjunction with the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, this competition is in its 22nd year and has founded many great jazz pianists we know today including Harry Connick, Jr., Marcus Roberts and Brad Mehldau. Judges this year were Ramsey Lewis, Delfayo Marsalis and Deanna Witkowsky. In 2002, Jesse was honored with being selected 4th in the entire world in the largest jazz piano competition – the Martial Solal Jazz Piano Competition held in Paris, France. [edit] Public appearances
With his own trio, he has appeared at the famous DeerHead Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA, the Hillside Inn Jazz Lounge, River Street Jazz Café, and Blues Street Jazz Club...all Pocono area jazz clubs. He has accompanied a wide range of vocalists and played many of the Pocono resorts. In May 1995, Jesse appeared with the Urbie Green Quintet on the Royal Caribbean “Majesty of the Seas”. This was a special honor for Jesse in that the jazz cruise was dedicated to his idol, Oscar Peterson, who performed with his trio as well. On this cruise, Chiaroscuro did a live recording of the Urbie Green Quintet, and the CD “SEA JAM BLUES” was released in 1997
In June 1995, Jesse’s second CD “SEA JOURNEY” was released, also by Chiaroscuro Records. This was a live recording on the S.S. Norway and included Jackie Williams on drums, Michael Moore on bass, and distinguished guest Gary Burton on vibes. The “Floating Jazz Festival” as it is called, was dedicated that year to singer Joe Williams. Jesse has also appeared at Sculler’s Jazz Club in Cambridge, MA, along with John Lockwood on bass and Alan Dawson on drums, and at the prestigious Jazz at the Y series in New York’s 92nd Street Y. In August 1996, Jesse headlined at Zinno’s in New York with his father, Urbie, as a special guest. He has performed at the Main Street Jazz Festival in Columbia, SC, and can be seen on a video of the festival which airs periodically on PBS. He has also appeared at the 1999 Indy Jazz fest. In July 2000, Jesse performed at the United States Day in the United Kingdom’s Millennium Dome as a member of a U.S. delegation presented by the White House Millennium Council.
Most recently Jesse’s trio (Bruce Cox on drums and Frank Hauck on bass) has performed with Phil Woods at various concert venues in the tri-state area including Centenary College, The Hillside Inn, East Stroudsburg University Fine Arts Center, and the COTA Festival.
Further accomplishments include two semi-finalist placements in the First Biennial Jazz Piano Competition in Indianapolis, IN, and the Annual International Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, FL. [edit] Personal life
Along with many performances and advances in his career, Jesse enjoys his wife and three girls at home in Delaware Water Gap. He remains extremely involved in teaching music (advanced jazz theory, harmony and ear training) composing and arranging, multi-media via computers and software, and sound engineering. [edit] Discography Lift Off (April 6, 1995) - as Jesse Green Trio Sea Journey (September 19, 1995) Sylvan Treasure (July 9, 2002)
