Jesse Mitchell

Jesse Mitchell is a saxophonist, songwriter, and actor from Portsmouth, VA. He has specialized in the areas of Jazz, R&B, Soul, Hip-Hop, Funk, and Gospel. Jesse picked up the saxophone in middle school and he knew then that he was going to make it his career. During his second year on the saxophone, he had already made the All-City Jazz Ensemble for the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. He also performed with the All-State Jazz Ensemble his junior and senior year in high school while serving as Drum Major for the I.C. Norcom High School "Versatile 100" Marching Greyhounds for two years. Jesse was also a member of the Norfolk State University's Jazz Ensemble and "Spartan Legion" Marching Band. He is very active in the community, performing at many charity events which further describes his passion to perform. Many of his charity events includes, Children's Hospital of Kings Daughters (CHKD), Sam's Club, Greenbrier Dodge, Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), and becoming a member of the Tim Reid Foundation; and Verdine White Foundation, the co-founder and bass guitarist for the legendary group Earth, Wind, and Fire. His work has been a bridge between two generations, mixing jazz with hip hop, soul, and a little funk as the icing on the cake. He describes his music as being well rounded as possible, being connected to both jazz and hip hop; Jesse has the best of both worlds. He knows the history of hip hop beginning with innovators like Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC, Kurtis Blow, and LL Cool J along with jazz innovators Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, and Dizzy Gillespie. Jesse has shared the stage with numerous entertainers in the business which includes, Emmy Award Winning actress Loretta Devine, Ray Chew and the Crew (BET's Sunday Best), and Tony Boyd (Director for Teena Marie) to name a few. Jesse made history on September 26, 2007 when he won first place at the World Famous Apollo Theater. The Apollo invited him back to perform and he won on two more occasions (June 4, 2008 and June 18, 2008) making him a three time winner.