Born: June 28, 1978 Primary Instrument: Piano
Born and raised in Minnesota, Jesse Stacken began playing piano at the age of ten. He quickly developed a passion for jazz improvisation and began playing professionally at the age of 16. Jesse moved to New York City in 2002, where he now lives and performs with artists such as Michael Blake, Tyshawn Sorey, Peter Van Huffel, Liam Sillery, Sherisse Rogers, and Erica vonKleist. Jesse has appeared at noted New York City venues including Carnegie Hall, the Jazz Gallery, the Jazz Standard, the Stone, 55bar, the Cornelia St. Café, the Center for Improvisational Music, and Barbes. He leads the Jesse Stacken Trio, which has been together since early 2005 and released “That That” on Fresh Sound records in 2008. The album features bassist Eivind Opsvik and drummer Jeff Davis peforming ten of Jesse’s original compositions and two group improvisations, and has received critical acclaim. Other current projects include “No Truck” featuring trumpeter Kirk Knuffke, saxophonist Justin Keller, and drummer Ziv Ravitz, and the Stacken/Knuffke duo, which released “Mockingbird” on the Steeplechase label in August 2009. Jesse has toured North and South America, Europe, and Japan, and is featured on recordings such as The Peter Van Huffel Quintet “Silvester Battlefield” (Fresh Sound), Liam Sillery “Minor Changes” and “Outskirts” (OA2 records), Erica vonKleist “Project E” (self-released), and Sherisse Roger’s “Sleight of Hand” (self released) featuring Donny McCaslin, Joel Frahm, and Dave Liebman. Jesse has also recently performed with acclaimed jazz artists Rufus Reid, and Chris Potter. Upcoming releases include Jesse Stacken “Magnolia” and the Peter Van Huffel Quartet “Like the Rusted Key”, both on Fresh Sound records.
“What amazes me is how tight this trio is and how they change direction, tempo and dynamics in mid- flow. Without a doubt, one of the best piano dates we've heard so far this year.” - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery.
”On “That That” (Fresh Sound New Talent), his quietly restless new album, the pianist Jesse Stacken presents a program of all-original material; he also showcases his intuitive and slippery rapport with the bassist Eivind Opsvik and the drummer Jeff Davis, who rejoin him for this cd-release gig.” -Nate Chinen, New York Times
“Jesse Stacken, a person of exceptional talent who has been active on the NY music scene since 2002,
is one of the remarkable young jazz pianists. This soulful cd celebrates the fruits of his labor with the
trio which was formed in 2004. The powerful rhythm secion of the bassist Eivind Opsvik and the
drummer Jeff Davis, creates dangerously dark and unique sound. listening to the trio's sharp and
thrilling interplay makes one's hand sweat. This is truly a very sensational cd.” -Diskunion, Japan.
”A hot piano solo by Jesse Stacken gives [Blue Skies] just enough of the original taste to make it fit the
program.” -Jim Santella, Jazz Improv Magazine. (Sherisse Rogers “Sleight of Hand”)
“Stacken helps to make the haunting Time Remembered the album’s most rewarding track.” -Jack
Bowers, All About Jazz (Sherisse Rogers “Sleight of Hand”)
“The other major voice here is pianist Jesse Stacken, who delivers rich, plush chords when playing
behind other soloists and adds a playful touch in his own breaks.” -Forrest Dylan Bryant, fojazz.com
(Liam Sillery “Minor Changes”)
“Pianist Stacken contributes a thoughtful, lyrical solo to “Prana.”” -Paul Oberlin, jazzreview.com (Liam
Sillery “Minor Changes”)
Mockingbird, Steeplechase records 2009. (Jesse Stacken: Piano, Kirk Knuffke: Trumpet)
That That, Fresh Sound New Talent records 2008.
Current self released 2005 Tracks: Blind and Happy, A Moment of Peace, Swingset, Sad Sidewalk, Distractions, Current Personnel: Jesse Stacken: Piano, Eivind Opsvik: Bass, Jeff Davis: Drums No Truck No Truck self released 2007 Tracks: Introduction, No Driver, Cold Front, Rajas, Brandy, Using Rain, Playground, Moving Parts Personnel: Jesse Stacken: Nord Electro Keyboard, Justin Keller: Saxophone, Kirk Knuffke: Trumpet, Ziv Ravitz: Drums As A Side Musician Silvester Battlefield Peter Van Huffel Quintet Fresh Sound - New Talent 2007 Tracks: Closed Tight, Delirium, Good Mornings, The Traveler, Silvester Battlefield, Linnea's Folk Song, Luminescence, Rundle's Peak Personnel: Peter Van Huffel: Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Scott Dubois: Guitar, Jesse Stacken: Piano, Michael Bates: Bass, Jeff Davis: Drums Project E Erica Vonkleist self released 2006 Erica Vonkleist: alto saxophone, flute, Chris Madsen: Tenor Saxophone, Jesse Stacken: Piano, Fender Rhodes, Dan Loomis: Bass, Jeremy Noller: Drums On Common Ground Peter Van Huffel Quintet self released 2005 Personnel: Peter Van Huffel: Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Scott Dubois: Guitar, Jesse Stacken: Piano, Michael Bates: Bass, Jeff Davis: Drums Minor Changes Liam Sillery Quintet OA2 record 2005 Personnel: Liam Sillery: Trumpet, David Sills: Tenor Saxohone, Jesse Stacken: Piano, Thomas Morgan: Bass, Rich Huntley: Drums Sleight of Hand Sherisse Rogers's Project Uprising self released 2005 Personnel: Project Uprising big band with special guest saxophonists: Dave Liebman, Donny McCaslin, Joel Frahm. Reflections of the City Christian Pincock Quintet self released 2005 Personnel: Christian Pincock: Valve Trombone, Felipe Salles: Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Jesse Stacken: Piano, Moppa Elliott: Bass, Jeremy Noller: Drums
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
Primary Instrument:
Piano
Location:
Brooklyn, NY
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Private Piano Instructor, New York City 9/2003-present
Private Piano Instructor, Bllomingdale School of Music, NYC. 2/2008-present.
Private Piano Instructor, Larchmont Music Academy, Larchmont, NY. Jazz and Classical styles. 9/2004-
6/2008
Private Piano Instructor, Woodside Music Studio, Parkridge, New Jersey. Jazz and Classical styles.
8/2004-present
Director of Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI.
8/1999-5/2001
Student Teacher, Elevastrum High School, Eleva, WI. 9/2001-1/2002
David Mueller, cooperating teacher.
Clinician, International Association of Jazz Educators - University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire chapter.
12/2001
Clinician, Wisconsin Music Educators National Conference. 10/2001
Private Piano and Improvisation Instructor in Minneapolis, MN, Eau Claire, WI 5/1999-5/2002
Student Achievements: Students of Mr. Stacken have been admitted into the Manhattan School of Music
prep program and performed at Carnegie Hall (Larchmont Music Academy Honors Recital).
Hours of availability: Thursdays and Fridays. Other times may be possible.
Rates: $55 hour at my home studio. Additional travel fee of $10-$25 for other locations.
