Ian Jesse grew up in Dayton, OH listening to everything from Bach to The Ohio Players. After a
long love with viola, he began playing the bass in high school. At 15, Jesse helped start a rock
band and collaborated on different projects in and out of school which led to a full scholarship at
Miami University.
 
Ian also studied in Durban, South Africa with local and international acts including Abdullah
Ibrahim, The South African Jazz Orchestra, and the KZN Philharmonic. He soon after moved to
New York City to study with Ron Carter and John Patitucci and remains active performing.
Ian has performed in various venues throughout North and South America, Europe and Africa,
collaborating with: Mulgrew Miller, Steve Wilson, Elliot Zigmund, Patience Higgins, Frank
Lacy, Kahlil Kwame Bell, Bill Saxton, Dan Faehnle, Phil DeGreg, Darius Brubeck, Melvin
Peters, Sundar Viswanathan, The Roots, Snoop Dogg, Sean Paul, George Benson, Grupo Niche,
Sonora Carruseles, Mario Abney Quintet, and Puerto Rican Power.