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Jesse Stacken

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.

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343
Album Review

Jesse Stacken / Kirk Knuffke: Mockingbird

Read "Mockingbird" reviewed by Martin Longley


This album's subtitle is The Music of Thelonious Monk & Duke Ellington, and it's refreshing to find the two pianist/composers united in a single conception, pointing out that they probably have more similarities than differences. This selection's other strong point (and this is all before its players even strike a note) is that the repertoire avoids almost all of the accustomed tune choices. From Monk, there's “Light Blue," “Teo," “Reflections" and “Bright Mississippi." From Ellington (and Billy Strayhorn), “Such Sweet ...

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143

Performance / Tour

Jesse Stacken Trio at Roulette, NYC Feb. 19, 2009

Jesse Stacken Trio at Roulette, NYC Feb. 19, 2009

Source: All About Jazz

JESSE STACKEN TRIO LIVE IN CONCERT Thursday February 19th at Roulette, New York City “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. “ 
- From Bruce Lee Gallanter's (Downtown Music Gallery) review of Jesse Stacken's That That (FSNT 308). The Jesse Stacken Trio, consisting ...

151

Recording

Jesse Stacken Releases "That That" on Fresh Sound New Talent Records

Jesse Stacken Releases "That That" on Fresh Sound New Talent Records

Source: All About Jazz

Pianist / composer Jesse Stacken has just released “That That" on Fresh Sound New Talent Records (FSNT 308). The album features the Jesse Stacken trio: Stacken, piano; Eivind Opsvik, bass; and Jeff Davis on Drums. Formed in early 2005, the Jesse Stacken Trio has developed into an ensemble that explores the depths of the piano trio format. The instrument roles, improvisation, and form structures have been re-examined, reconstructed and expanded. The result is music that is fresh, exciting, ...

From a review of Mockingbird (Steeplechase, 2009) “The sound is just right. An excellent duo disc on all accounts.” - Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery.

"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

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Willing to teach

Advanced 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

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Mockingbird

SteepleChase Records
2009

buy

That That

Fresh Sound Records
2009

buy

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