Jesse “JTJazz” Thompson
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.

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