We recently connected with Jesse Thompson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jesse thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best investment I’ve ever made is in myself. In 2021, during the pandemic, I decided to invest in myself as a solo artist and to do something that would make the listeners feel encouraged and lift their spirits. Investing in myself involved time, equipment, software, education, building partnerships, and building my brand. However, keep in mind that when you invest in yourself, it is a continuance throughout your career or life because it never stops. Investing in myself takes persistence and consistency.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

‍Being the son of a father who was a professional jazz drummer and a mother who was a church organist/pianist, Jesse Thompson – aka “JTJazz” came by his musical gifts naturally and started playing the drums as his first instrument at the age of five. By the time JT was twelve years old, he played a total of thirteen instruments, the piano being one of them. In addition to his parents, he was influenced by his oldest brother Marvyn Wheatley, who recorded and played with Parliament and Slave. Thompson spent time with his brothers in the studio hanging out with Slave, Roger Troutman & Zapp, Steve Arrington and others
These experiences truly fueled his musical passions and ambitions. While he studied manufacturing engineering and IT at Central State University (in Wilberforce, OH), he played in the school’s marching band and jazz ensemble and joined the national honorary band of the Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity. His other influences include Alex Bugnon, Jimmy Smith, Billy Preston, Jeff Lorber, James Lloyd and Bob James.

The Artist
Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, known in music circles as the land of funk, Jesse Thompson couldn’t help but be influenced by the city’s great R&B pioneers – including Slave, Ohio Players, Lakeside and Zapp featuring Roger Troutman. For the past 20 years, the multi-talented composer, pianist and keyboardist manifested these inspirations – and helped bring the legacies of these legendary bands forward – as a former member of the popular and prolific, constantly gigging Columbus-based R&B/jazz ensemble NexLevel.

In addition to releasing two full length albums and multiple singles, the band has performed and shared stages with everyone from Boys II Men, Fourplay and Spyro Gyra to Mindi Abair, Warren Hill, Tim Bowman and late greats Jeff Golub and Wayman Tisdale. Thompson’s success with NexLevel has led to a multitude of opportunities to perform and tour regularly with genre greats Eric Darius, Adam Hawley, Althea Rene, Paul Taylor and the late Nick Colionne. He also appears on saxophonist Jeanette Harris’ latest album Saxathrone.

Unlike many longtime band members and sidemen who work towards someday expressing themselves as solo artists, Thompson was content with his existing whirlwind of activity playing with others. But when the pandemic hit, he instinctively used his down time to, as he says, “sow a seed of happiness” to create “Weekend Groove” – an irrepressible Next-Gen disco vibin’ house beat driven track featuring flutist Althea Rene and a horn section by Kelly O’Donohue that ultimately became the lead single to his uniquely titled debut album The Inauguration of Jtjazz (Jesse Thompson the Man Behind the Keys).

“The origin of ‘Weekend Groove’ was a response to the Covid moment,” Thompson says. “I wanted to create something positive and full of energy to make people forget their problems and tap their feet, even for a few minutes. Everyone can relate to looking forward to the weekend and just letting loose. My vision was simply to do something to make people happy. I had been on the road with Althea and knew immediately that she could elevate it with her amazing playing. It’s a very cathartic track and I was determined to throw it out there because it was needed at a time when so many people were depressed and crazy!”

While “Weekend Groove” was an instant success on Music Choice and numerous terrestrial and online radio stations, listeners new to Thompson’s solo artistry will be pleased at the dynamic stylistic diversity he brings to his seven-track debut album – which reflects his unique array of musical passions. While he continues with NexLevel and performing with some of the greatest artists in smooth jazz, as the title indicates, the album marks a promising new beginning for this multi-faceted artist.

ON STAGE
‍In addition to playing with some of smooth jazz’s biggest stars, NexLevel featuring Jesse Thompson on keyboards has performed as the house band for Conya Doss, Dwele, Goapele, Choklate, Abby Dobson, Gordon Chambers, Yahzarah, Angela Johnson, Rahsaan Patterson and Avery Sunshine. The group, also featuring saxophonist Richard Randolph, has also played at prominent regional festivals, including the Columbus Jazz & Rib Festival, Gahanna Creekside Blues Festival, Easton Smooth Jazz Summer Concert Series, Wendy’s Smooth Jazz Concert Series, Community Summer Festival, Columbus Urban League series, King Arts Summer Music Series at Mayme Moore Park, Lincoln Theater and many others.

As a solo performer, Thompson – who prefers to stand as he plays keys to bring more funky energy and better interact with audiences – has played two sold out shows as part of Gertrude’s Jazz Series in Kailua-Kona, HI; the Jazz & Jokes tour with comedian Jammin’ Jay Lamont at the Blue Note Hawaii in Honolulu; the Levitt Summer Music Festival in Dayton; and the Kona Jazz Series at the Blue Dragon Cosmic Musiquarium, also in Kailua-Kona. In addition, he opened for Peabo Bryson, Eric Darius and Boney James at the Jazz Legacy Foundation Gala and Afterparty in Hampton, VA.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I remember while working in corporate America in the Information Technology space, the most recent position I had was not fulfilling to me and although I enjoyed working with that customer base my heart was telling me that was neither was not my calling nor my purpose in life. I was blessed with a gift and my purpose is to use that gift accordingly. There was a shift on my job which made it very clear that my time there was up. So, trusting in God and my faith I decided to fulfill my purpose and put it into action. My purpose is to not only use my gift but also to share my gift, sew inspiration, and encourage people/listeners via my gift.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The mission that drives me to be resilient and continue in my creative journey is knowing my purpose or my “why”. My purpose is to encourage people and make provisions as guidance to our young people so they can be encouraged to pursue their dreams that align with their gifts and calling. I love to visit and talk to children and college students nationwide about music and its creative journey. Spending time with them is an investment in our future and it creates trust as it builds relationships it also allows for collaborative opportunities in an agile methodology for artists to work together on projects, make changes, and accomplish musical goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://WWW.JTJAZZ.COM
• Instagram: @jtjazz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jtjazz
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtjazz?trk=public_profile_browsemap
• Twitter: @jtjazz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JesseJTJazzThompson
• Other: https://linktr.ee/jtjazz88keys?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=8608b341-cc66-4562-aa92-4e5bc08bf81a

Image Credits

All photo images created by: Lamar Pacely for Shutter Eye Photo