Jess Jurkovic

Profile

Profession

Performer, Composer, Arranger, Educator

Instrument

Piano

Bio

A native of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, Jess Jurkovic started his musical life as a drummer and percussionist, but at age fourteen, began to compose and teach himself piano. Today he is an exciting and eclectic voice as a jazz pianist and composer. He has written over 100 pieces and arranged dozens of standards and not-so-standards for his groups. In addition, he has arranged and composed music for jazz big band, jazz vocal ensemble, string orchestra, and even classical chamber ensembles—as well as worked in and composed for pop, rock, and funk genres.

Jess attended the University of Minnesota, receiving his Bachelor of Music degree in 1996. That year he moved to New York City to study at Manhattan School of Music, where he received his Master's degree in Jazz and Commercial Music in 1998.

Jess’s first recording was the art department (2000), a jazz quartet he formed with percussionist Greg Beyer. He quickly followed that with Blue and Violet (2001), a duo recording with Pedro Giraudo.

Besides his own recordings, Jess is an integral member of the Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra (found on three CDs, the latest is El Viaje), the Leonisa Ardizzone Quintet (The Scent of Bitter Almonds), and Justin Hines and the Headphones (...As Advertised).

Jess has performed in New York venues such as Birdland, the Jazz Standard, Symphony Space, Town Hall, and Weill Recital Hall (Carnegie Hall).

In addition, Jess has served as musical director for The American Tap Dance Foundation. He is on the piano faculty at Larchmont Music Academy. He has also worked with Cherry Lane Music Co. as a freelance writer and editor; his book Keyboard Warm-up Techniques was published in 2006.

Jess's newest recording under his own name is a solo piano effort, Two Hands, Vol. 1 (2007).

Website

http://jessjurkovic.com

Personal Information

Favorite Quote

Jazz is a huge sponge, capable of assimilating all types of influences. —Dave Brubeck

History

Member for

38 weeks 5 days

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