JESSE WITNEY
Brazilian Soul Roots Reggae
SHORT BIO
Jesse Witney is an independent artist who weaves Soul, Brazilian and Roots styles into uniquely Australian music. His thirst for exploration and love of world music have seen him journey abroad to share his music in the UK, Brazil, Germany and Hawaii.
Splendour in the Grass, Woodford, Island Vibe and The National folk festival are just some of festivals that Jesse has performed at in Australia. Internationally he has toured twice in Germany as the Jesse Witney Trio, and performed in Hawaii with Artists such as Tubby Love, Amber Lily and Charlie Magee (Formidable Vegetable Sound System).
The success of his crowdfunding campaign in 2018 took Jesse to Brazil with his Co-Producer, Thomas Mitchell to record at Carolina Studios in Rio de Janeiro, allowing Jesse to work with, and learn from some of the best musicians in the scene.
Witney’s debut full-length album Animal Cities, recorded between Australia and Brazil, embodies the joy, precision and infectious energy that people have come to know Jesse for. The first single off the Album, The System (Due out April 6), explores Jesse’s passion for a more socially equitable and environmentally responsible world.
LONG BIO
Jesse Witney is an independent artist who weaves Soul, Brazilian and Roots styles into uniquely Australian music. His thirst for exploration and love of world music have seen him journey abroad to share his music in the UK, Brazil, Germany and Hawaii.
Splendour in the Grass, Woodford, Island Vibe and The National folk festival are just some of festivals that Jesse has performed at in Australia. Internationally he has toured twice in Germany as the Jesse Witney Trio, and performed in Hawaii with Artists such as Tubby Love, Amber Lily and Charlie Magee (Formidable Vegetable Sound System).
The success of his crowdfunding campaign in 2018 took Jesse to Brazil with his Co-Producer, Thomas Mitchell to record at Carolina Studios in Rio de Janeiro, allowing Jesse to work with, and learn from some of the best musicians in the scene.
Witney’s debut full-length album Animal Cities, recorded between Australia and Brazil, embodies the joy, precision and infectious energy that people have come to know Jesse for. The first single off the Album, The System, explores Jesse’s passion for a more socially equitable and environmentally responsible world.
Hailing from Gympie – A small Australian town – Jesse’s humble beginnings as the youngest child in a musical household were alive with the sounds of the banjo, clarinet and guitar. And if you came to the house and there was silence, you’d soon hear Jesse dancing around the house singing Britney Spears or The Spice Girls to annoy his dearly beloved.
In high school, Jesse formed a punk rock band – aptly named Better Than Britney – before going on to study contemporary music/guitar performance at Southern Cross University in Lismore, New South Wales. It was here he had a chance encounter with a Brazilian guitar. Captivated, Jesse immersed himself in learning the culture. A year later he was in Brazil.
His first visit lasted seven months, marking the beginning of major influences to his musical style and collaborations. His has created Brazilian bands in cities around the world and sings fluently in Portuguese.
With a thirst for experience, Jesse has travelled and lived in Australia, Europe and South America, creating connections with individuals and cultures, and bringing to life two EPs: Dynamo and Be It.
Be It, which was produced with Phil Stack of Thirsty Merc, took him on tour around Australia. It was in this time that he was recruited to be a contestant on The Voice Australia. Opting to remain an independent artist, he instead busked the streets of Byron Bay, and moved to Berlin.
In Berlin Jesse formed a trio and went on tour around Germany, making important industry contacts with local producers. On a visit back to Australia, he fell from a roof while performing a house concert and was lucky not to have broken his back. Naturally, he took this poignant experiene to write new music, and instead moved to Melbourne.
It is there that you will now find him working on the release of his debut album.
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“One of my favourite voices emerging as an artist in these times” - Tubby Love, Hawaiian musician and producer
“You need this in your life today. An absolute delight” - Hugo Farrant, MC extraordinaire, Rap News Founder
“A Beautiful Husky Voice” Sarah Howell, JJJ ‘Roots & All’ Presenter
“I have been repeatedly and deeply impressed by Jesse’s musicianship, professionalism and dedication” Paul Bromley, Australian Musician, Producer and Aria Award Winner
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Festivals Played Include:
Woodford Folk Festival (AUS)
National Folk Festival (AUS)
Splendour in the Grass (AUS)
Island Vibe Festival (AUS)
Monkey Magic Midsummer Festival (DE)
East Side Music Days (DE)
Alpen Festival (DE)
Beats For Needs Festival (DE)
Square & Compass Jazz Festival (UK)
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Bio em Portuguese
PERFIL CURTO
Jesse Witney é um artista independente que transforma os estilos Soul, Brazilian e Roots em uma música exclusivamente australiana. Sua sede de exploração e amor pela música mundial o viu viajar para o exterior para compartilhar sua música no Reino Unido, Brasil, Alemanha e Havaí.
Splendor in the Grass, Woodford, Island Vibe e The Folk Festival Nacional são apenas alguns dos festivais em que Jesse se apresentou na Austrália. Internacionalmente, ele já fez duas turnês na Alemanha como Jesse Witney Trio, e se apresentou no Havaí com artistas como Tubby Love, Amber Lily e Charlie Magee (Formidable Vegetable Sound System).
O sucesso de sua campanha de financiamento coletivo em 2018 levou Jesse ao Brasil com seu co-produtor, Thomas Mitchell, para gravar no Carolina Studios, no Rio de Janeiro, permitindo que Jesse trabalhasse e aprendesse com alguns dos melhores músicos da cena.
O álbum de estréia de Witney, Animal Cities, gravado entre a Austrália e o Brasil, incorpora a alegria, a precisão e a energia infecciosa pelas quais as pessoas conhecem Jesse. O primeiro single do álbum, The System (previsto para 6 de abril), explora a paixão de Jesse por um mundo mais socialmente equitativo e ambientalmente responsável.
