Jerry Fess started playing the cello at the age of 4 on a modified viola with an added endpin. Jerry's training was primarily taught through the Suzuki Method and later went on to receive certification in Suzuki Pedagogy. He studied cello and string pedagogy from Dr. Tanya Carey at Western Illinois University where he received his B.A. in Music Performance. While attending WIU, he also studied Music Theory and Composition with Dr. Paul Paccione and Dale Hopper.
Jerry furthered his cello skills at the Meadowmount School of Music where he was coached by Isaac Malkin and Owen Carmen. He has been a member of numerous ensembles including the WIU New Music Ensemble, WIU Symphony Orchestra, Serenata String Quartet, and the Quincy Symphony Orchestra where he held the position of principle cellist. Jerry was also a member of the Chicago-based band "Go Ask Brian" (myspace.com/goaskbrian) playing acoustic cello - amplified.
Mr. Fess' styles of playing include traditional, folk, rock, jazz, experimental and free improv. While living in Minneapolis, MN, Jerry teamed up with jazz improv percussionist Matthew Sumera to form the Fess-Sumera Duo. Mr. Sumera is an accomplished percussionist who is currently pursuing ethnomusicology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and writing for OneFinalNote.com (http://onefinalnote.com/).
Jerry's most recent project was composing and performing the score for the short independent film "Wake" produced by Baby Lion Productions (myspace.com/babylionproductions).
Jerry continues to be active in the music community by performing and composing.
