Jesse Saunders facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jesse Saunders
Background information
Born	(1962-03-10) March 10, 1962 (age 63) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	House
Occupation(s)	DJ record producer film producer entrepreneur
Years active	1977–present
Labels	Geffen

Jesse Saunders (born March 10, 1962) is an American DJ, music producer, and businessman. He is famous for his 1984 song, "On & On". Many people believe this song was the very first house music record ever sold to the public. Jesse Saunders has been a DJ for a long time. He has also started his own music labels and worked in music and film. He helps promote and manage other artists too.

Growing Up

Jesse Saunders was born in 1962 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up on the south side of the city. His mother, Lois M. Saunders, was a teacher. She supported his interests in sports and music.

When he was young, Jesse was a very bright student. He was chosen for a special "Gifted" program. In this program, he learned how to program and use computers when he was only 10 years old. He also sang and toured with the Chicago Children's Choir.

Later, Jesse went to Kenwood Academy for high school. He played tennis there and helped his team win championships. During high school, his older step-brother, DJ Wayne Williams, taught him how to be a DJ. Together, they started the Chosen Few House Music Reunion Picnic in 1991. This event happens every year in Chicago and brings together over 30,000 people!

After high school, Jesse studied Communications and Film at the University of Southern California. Jesse started playing piano at age five. He learned to play many different instruments. Some of his early favorite musicians were Aretha Franklin, Fleetwood Mac, and Earth, Wind & Fire.

Music Career

The Start of House Music

When Jesse was 16, he discovered Chicago's exciting nightclub scene. He was inspired by Frankie Knuckles, a famous DJ who played at the Warehouse nightclub. This club is where house music first began.

In 1982, Jesse opened his own nightclub called the Playground. Soon, more people came to his club than to the Warehouse. Jesse used this chance to play his own music. He mixed different styles, not just disco and R&B. He created his own unique sound. As a DJ, he would repeat parts of songs, especially the drums or bass. He continued this style when he started producing music.

In 1983, Jesse Saunders began making his own songs. In early 1984, he released "On & On" with Vince Lawrence. This was the first official house music record. They started their own label, Jes Say Records, to release it. Jesse made the song because a favorite record of his had been stolen. He and Vince added catchy lyrics and used electronic instruments. They used a Roland TR-808 drum machine, a Korg Poly-61 synthesizer, and a Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer.

After "On & On," other popular songs followed, like "Funk U Up" and "Love Can't Turn Around." Jesse's group, Jesse's Gang, later signed with Geffen Records. They released an album called Center of Attraction. The song "I'm Back Again" became a top hit in clubs.

Touring and New Projects

In the late 1980s, Jesse focused on writing and producing music. He started DJing again in the 1990s and toured all over the world. He also made music for television shows. His independent music label, Broken Records, was one of the first to sell music only online.

Since 1991, Jesse has helped organize the House Music Reunion Picnic. This big event happens every Fourth of July weekend. It brings together over 100 DJs and more than 30,000 people. In 1997, he worked with other house music pioneers to release the Chicago Reunion Album.

Jesse Saunders has been featured in many books and documentaries. He has also given talks at universities and music conferences around the world.

In 2004, Jesse brought back his Broken Records label. It releases digital music from many artists. In 2009, he released the album 25th Anniversary of House Music. This led to a worldwide tour that showed art about house music culture. The tour went across the US and even to South Africa.

After this tour, Jesse opened the Electronic Music Cafe in Las Vegas in 2010. It shows art from the tour and features DJs. He also started the Music & Arts Society. This group helps protect and advance DJ culture. They launched the first-ever DJ Culture exhibit called "SPIN – Evolution of the DJ." The Mayor of Las Vegas even honored Jesse for his contributions to education and culture.

Writing Books

In 2020, Jesse Saunders released a book called In Their Own Words.

Personal Life

Jesse Saunders' grandfather, Robert H. Miller, was an important person in his community. He owned a funeral business and was involved in the civil rights movement. He marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965. He also helped gospel singer Mahalia Jackson with her career.

Jesse Saunders married actress and musician Jazsmin Lewis in 1992. They later divorced in 1998. He now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2022, Jesse Saunders had a stroke.

Selected Discography

Releases

Remixes