Meet Ian

Tony award winner and Grammy nominee, Ian Jesse grew up in Dayton, OH listening to everything from Bach to Bjork. After a long love with viola, he began playing the bass which led to a full scholarship at Miami University.

Ian also studied in South Africa with local and international acts including Abdullah Ibrahim, The South African Jazz Orchestra, and the KZN Philharmonic. Since moving to New York City to study with Ron Carter and John Patitucci; he remains active performing on/off Broadway (Strange Loop), in churches, jazz venues and various club dates.

Ian has performed extensively throughout North and South America, Europe and Africa, collaborating with:

Timbuktu, Mulgrew Miller, Steve Wilson, Elliot Zigmund, Patience Higgins, Hot Peas N’ Butter, Frank Lacy, Kahlil Kwame Bell, Bill Saxton, Dan Faehnle, Darius Brubeck, Sundar Viswanathan, Binky Griptite, Mario Abney Quintet, and Puerto Rican Power.

He’s Opened for The Roots, Snoop Dogg, Sean Paul, Grupo Niche and Sonora Carruseles

He has also performed at Carnegie Hall with Regina Belle, Shirley Caesar, Koryn Hawthorne, Adrienne Bailon Houghton, Israel Houghton, Kenny Lattimore, Ledisi, Patricio Molina, Iyanla Vanzant, Bebe Winans, The String Queens, Travis Greene, J.J. Hairston, Cantor Azi Schwartz, Richard Smallwood and Bishop Hezekiah Walker.