Jesse Saunders
Encyclopedia
Jesse Saunders is a DJ, music and film producer, remix artist, promoter and entrepreneur. He is one of the pioneers of House music
, often cited as "the originator of House music". His 1984 single, "On & On", co-written with Vince Lawrence
, was first record with a house
DJ as the artist that was pressed and sold to the public. On July 17, 1997 Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley
announced the day would be forever known as Jesse Saunders and the Pioneers of House Music Day in Chicago. Since his emergence as a DJ almost three decades ago, Saunders has run several of his own independent labels, and worked extensively in music and film production, as well as artist promotion and management. In recent years, through House music reunions, a pending book release and a live 'disc-jocumentary' - where, while DJing, he visually takes the audience through the history of House and Electro - Saunders has worked towards erasing the misconceptions associated with the genre's origins. He is also a long-time member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
.
nightclub, thus attaining its name. As the music moved to the wider community, the sound significantly changed and what developed is House music
as it eventually came to be known.
While one of his biggest influences, and another instrumental figure in the development of House, Frankie Knuckles
, confined himself to the gay nightclub scene (primarily that of the Warehouse), Saunders took the unique sounds of the Windy City to the masses. Instead of relying solely on disco
and R&B like Knuckles, Saunders expanded his musical repertoire and fused it with the turntable trickery that remains a staple to this day. As a DJ he would accentuate desired moments in songs through loops and repetition, focusing on sections that were stripped down to just the drum or bass - a tradition he would carry on as a producer.
, Fleetwood Mac
, Smokey Robinson
and Earth Wind & Fire. He also became fascinated with sports, displaying his greatest strengths in baseball and tennis, winning multiple city championships with his team in the latter. Saunders was also an honors student, attending the same high school where the likes of Chaka Kahn and R.Kelly also attended.
and others in the scene. It wasn't long before he became a nightclub headliner, and in 1982, he opened up his own nightclub, the Playground. Attendance figures soon outnumbered those of the Warehouse and Saunders used the opportunity to incorporate his original material into his sets.
By 1983 he was producing his own music and in early 1984 he released the first official House music record along with Vince Lawrence
, "On & On", on the label they made together, Jes Say Records. "Funk U Up" (the first House track to ever make it onto the Billboard charts), "Real Love", "Love Can't Turn Around" (the song that started the House music revolution in the UK) and "Dum Dum" soon followed. His group, Jesse's Gang was eventually signed to Geffen Records
, releasing the album Center of Attraction shortly after, with the single off the album, "I'm Back Again" becoming a top ten club hit.
By the late 1980s, Saunders decided to focus all his efforts on writing, producing and remixing instead of DJing. Throughout the 1990s, he made his way back to DJing, touring the world over, as well as trying his hand at producing music for television. His independent label, Broken Records, fully embraced the digital revolution by distributing music solely via the Internet. Since 1991 he has been involved in House Music Reunion Picnic, celebrated every Fourth of July weekend. The event brings together over 100 DJs and attracts upwards of 8,000 people. In 1997 he reunited with the other forefathers of House music to release Chicago Reunion Album.
In 2004 after touring incessantly throughout the world, Saunders revived his Broken Records label. The label releases digital content to the all major download sites and boasts featured Artists such as Inaya Day
, Scott Langley, Didier Vanelli, Mia Calderon, Joe Smooth
, Marshall Jefferson
and of course Jesse Saunders himself.
In 2009, Saunders released the critically acclaimed 25th Anniversary of House Music Album, which resulted in a world wide tour featuring Art depicting the pioneers of the genre. The tour hit all over the USA and as far as Johannesburgh, South Africa.
After the successful 25th Anniversary of House Music Tour, Jesse founded the Electronic Music Cafe in Vegas 2010 to display the Art from the Tour. It has turned into a major broadcast network featuring DJs and fine artists interpreting their music. ElectronicMusicCafe.com. He also founded the Music & Arts Society, a non-profit entity for the advancement and preservation of the DJ culture, that same year. MusicAndArtsSociety.org
and promoted the career of legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson
.
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
, often cited as "the originator of House music". His 1984 single, "On & On", co-written with Vince Lawrence
Vince Lawrence
Vince Lawrence is a dance music producer, businessman and is one of the leading innovators of the genre of music called "House Music"....
, was first record with a house
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
DJ as the artist that was pressed and sold to the public. On July 17, 1997 Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley
Richard M. Daley
Richard Michael Daley is a United States politician, member of the national and local Democratic Party, and former Mayor of Chicago, Illinois. He was elected mayor in 1989 and reelected in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2007. He was the longest serving Chicago mayor, surpassing the tenure of his...
announced the day would be forever known as Jesse Saunders and the Pioneers of House Music Day in Chicago. Since his emergence as a DJ almost three decades ago, Saunders has run several of his own independent labels, and worked extensively in music and film production, as well as artist promotion and management. In recent years, through House music reunions, a pending book release and a live 'disc-jocumentary' - where, while DJing, he visually takes the audience through the history of House and Electro - Saunders has worked towards erasing the misconceptions associated with the genre's origins. He is also a long-time member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., known variously as The Recording Academy or NARAS, is a U.S. organization of musicians, producers, recording engineers and other recording professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its...
.
"The Originator Of House Music"
House music first got its start within the walls of Chicago's WarehouseWarehouse
A warehouse is a commercial building for storage of goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial areas of cities and towns. They usually have loading docks to load and unload...
nightclub, thus attaining its name. As the music moved to the wider community, the sound significantly changed and what developed is House music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
as it eventually came to be known.
While one of his biggest influences, and another instrumental figure in the development of House, Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles is an American DJ, record producer and remix artist. He played an important role in developing house music as a Chicago DJ in the 1980s and he helped to popularize house music in the 1990s, with his work as a producer and remixer...
, confined himself to the gay nightclub scene (primarily that of the Warehouse), Saunders took the unique sounds of the Windy City to the masses. Instead of relying solely on disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
and R&B like Knuckles, Saunders expanded his musical repertoire and fused it with the turntable trickery that remains a staple to this day. As a DJ he would accentuate desired moments in songs through loops and repetition, focusing on sections that were stripped down to just the drum or bass - a tradition he would carry on as a producer.
Early years
Saunders took an early liking to music, beginning with piano at age five and eventually making his way through every instrument available to him. Amongst his early musical influences were Aretha FranklinAretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
, Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
, Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
and Earth Wind & Fire. He also became fascinated with sports, displaying his greatest strengths in baseball and tennis, winning multiple city championships with his team in the latter. Saunders was also an honors student, attending the same high school where the likes of Chaka Kahn and R.Kelly also attended.
Career
At the age of sixteen, Saunders became exposed to Chicago's night club scene, enthralled by the sounds of Frankie KnucklesFrankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles is an American DJ, record producer and remix artist. He played an important role in developing house music as a Chicago DJ in the 1980s and he helped to popularize house music in the 1990s, with his work as a producer and remixer...
and others in the scene. It wasn't long before he became a nightclub headliner, and in 1982, he opened up his own nightclub, the Playground. Attendance figures soon outnumbered those of the Warehouse and Saunders used the opportunity to incorporate his original material into his sets.
By 1983 he was producing his own music and in early 1984 he released the first official House music record along with Vince Lawrence
Vince Lawrence
Vince Lawrence is a dance music producer, businessman and is one of the leading innovators of the genre of music called "House Music"....
, "On & On", on the label they made together, Jes Say Records. "Funk U Up" (the first House track to ever make it onto the Billboard charts), "Real Love", "Love Can't Turn Around" (the song that started the House music revolution in the UK) and "Dum Dum" soon followed. His group, Jesse's Gang was eventually signed to Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
, releasing the album Center of Attraction shortly after, with the single off the album, "I'm Back Again" becoming a top ten club hit.
By the late 1980s, Saunders decided to focus all his efforts on writing, producing and remixing instead of DJing. Throughout the 1990s, he made his way back to DJing, touring the world over, as well as trying his hand at producing music for television. His independent label, Broken Records, fully embraced the digital revolution by distributing music solely via the Internet. Since 1991 he has been involved in House Music Reunion Picnic, celebrated every Fourth of July weekend. The event brings together over 100 DJs and attracts upwards of 8,000 people. In 1997 he reunited with the other forefathers of House music to release Chicago Reunion Album.
In 2004 after touring incessantly throughout the world, Saunders revived his Broken Records label. The label releases digital content to the all major download sites and boasts featured Artists such as Inaya Day
Inaya Day
Inaya Day is an American singer, best known for her vocal work on house music tracks such as "Horny" by Mousse T, and her cover version of "Nasty Girl" by Prince protege Vanity 6.-Early career:...
, Scott Langley, Didier Vanelli, Mia Calderon, Joe Smooth
Joe smooth
Joe Smooth is an American producer and DJ of house music, notably during the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Early life:Smooth was a self-taught musician, and started creating original music at the age of 12...
, Marshall Jefferson
Marshall Jefferson
Marshall Jefferson is an American musician, working in house music, in particular, the subgenres of Chicago house and deep house.-Biography:...
and of course Jesse Saunders himself.
In 2009, Saunders released the critically acclaimed 25th Anniversary of House Music Album, which resulted in a world wide tour featuring Art depicting the pioneers of the genre. The tour hit all over the USA and as far as Johannesburgh, South Africa.
After the successful 25th Anniversary of House Music Tour, Jesse founded the Electronic Music Cafe in Vegas 2010 to display the Art from the Tour. It has turned into a major broadcast network featuring DJs and fine artists interpreting their music. ElectronicMusicCafe.com. He also founded the Music & Arts Society, a non-profit entity for the advancement and preservation of the DJ culture, that same year. MusicAndArtsSociety.org
Personal life
Saunders' mother, a University graduate in Early Childhood Education, was his primary carer and a great supporter of his sporting and music pursuits. His maternal grandfather, a funeral business owner, was voted "Mayor" of Bronzeville (then the Black section of Chicago) from 1937-1939. He also became heavily involved in the Civil Rights MovementCivil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
and promoted the career of legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson – January 27, 1972) was an African-American gospel singer. Possessing a powerful contralto voice, she was referred to as "The Queen of Gospel"...
.
Releases
- On & On (1984)
- Funk U Up (1984)
- Undercover (1984)
- Fantasy (1984)
- Dum Dum (1984)
- Real Love (1985)
- I Am The DJ (1985)
- Dum Dum 2 (1985)
- Love Can't Turn Around (1986)
- Back Up (1987)
- I'm Back Again (1988)
- Sing Sing in the 90's (1990)
- House Trax, Vol. 1 (1991)
- Light My Fire (1992)
- Got Me Runnin (1993)
- I Just Want To (1993)
- Take Me Higher (1996)
- Yeah/Let Me Hear U (1997)
- 12 Inches of Love (1998)
- Body Music (1999)
- On & On (20th Anniversary of House-2003)
- Everybody (2004)
- Feelin Me (2005)
- Luv 2 Luv U (2008)
Remixes
- Showdown - No Sovereign (1997)
- It's A Cold, Cold World - lNouveau (1988)
- Come Fly With Me - DJ Pierre (1990)
- My Girl - Kool Skool (1990)
- Vibeology - Paula Abdul (1991)
- We Want The Funk - Gerardo (1991)
- Set Me Free - Jermaine Stewart (1992)
- Where Do We Go - Simple Pleasure (1992)
- Double Good Everything - Smokey Robinson (1992)
- Damn It Feels Good - Geto Boyz (1992)
- What's It Take - Mellow Man Ace (1993)
- Stranger - Buzz Session (1994)
- Loving Tonight - Honey Vox (1994)
- Slide - El Debarge (1995)
- Baby Wants To Ride - Frankie Knuckles (1997)
- Turn It Out - Rick James (1999)
- Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back) (2002)
- Step In The Name of Love - R. Kelly (2003)