Hi everybody! Thank you for stopping by my site. Here are just a few of the many adventures I have experienced in the recent months. This site will be updated periodically. Browse around leave a comment. I will try and answer as many as I can . I still just getting the hang of myspace.
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Jesse's mission is, and since 1965 at the young age of 12, has been music. Although his venue of choice (or did it choose him) is jazz, Jesse Rene Sharps is a versatile and innovative woodwind musician.
At the age of 13 under the tutelage of Mr. Milton Hall and his clarinet lessons, Jesse
Sharps's fingertips reached forth to touch and bond with the saxophone. Unfortunately, the prities of Jesse's parents did not include time for music as an alternative activity for Jesse. His quest for playing an instrument was not always sanctioned and often times punished. Nevertheless, Sharps organized his time played in several junior high school bands in the greater Los Angeles area.
Jesse was fortunate enough to play with the Pan Afrikan People's Arkestra workshop in 1967 under the late conductor, composer and pianist, Horace Tapscott.
Jesse Sharps attended jordan high school in Watts, California, and majored in music. When 16 years old, Jesse began weekend studies with the great Art Pepper at the Synannon facility in Santa Monica, California. After graduating with honors from jordan high school, Jesse attended Wilberforce University in Ohio. At this time Jesse also studied under Cecil Taylor at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio. Returning to Los Angeles in 1973, in addition to being a composer and star soprano sax player, he became the band leader for the Pan Afrikan People's Arkestra (the Ark) and recorded an acclaimed album with the band in 1977. Atthe same time continued to study advanced Woodwinds under Milton Hall.
Jesse's love for music spread beyond the perimeters of jazz to touch on various facets of musical interest. In the mid 1970's, Jesse played and recorded with the rock band Jawbone and also the band Gang Star Wolf. Lured by the opportunity to travel, earn a steady income, and play music,Jesse joined the US Army Band in 1979. Jesse's first duty assignment was to play saxophones, bassoon, bass clarinet, and flute in the elite Commander in Chief's, United States Army Band, Europe in Heidelberg, Germany.
The timeframe of 1980-1984 was an especially productive time for Jesse in Europe. He founded the Watts Happening Trio in the early 1980's, played with Salsa Mortal in addition to the Peter Michler Big Band in Germany and the Tony Brown Trio in Holland. American Patrol, a fest band of x-Army band members was formed in 1983. And he still made time to become a member of the Cosmopolitan Jazz Ensemble in Holland and to perform with the Idris Acamoor Quartet from California while on tour in Europe.
After leaving the CINC's Army Band in 1985, Jesse joined the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West for two years while also playing with the Ras Michael Reggae Band and the Nimbus Collective All Stars. In 1991, Jesse recored with the Tambu Ensemble, and with the Mark Tyson Reggae Band, the Une Igede Band from West Africa. Later that year, he founded the Muntu Quartet in Los Angeles.
Always a creative and innovative musician, Sharps puts no limits on his talent and always welcomes and makes room for expansion. Upon his return to Germany in 1992, Jesse began playing with the Ska Band, Loaded, various European Reggae groups and many local German bands. Jesse plays the Didgeridoo with a group in northern Germany and is also currently playing accordion with the Accordion Orchestra of Leimen in Germany.
Jesse is currently working on a new project in Los Angeles called the GATHERING.
Germany
King's Music
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Click here to see the complete Creative Arts Ensemble interviews.
STARLADY INTERVIEW ME WHEN WE WERE JUST HANGING OUT IN HOLLYWOOD AROUND SOME HISTORIC PARTS OF HOLLYWOOD.
