Jesse Kramer

Drummer Jesse Kramer grew up in Ann Arbor surrounded by music.  His father, a luthier and folk musician, was constantly strumming folk tunes on guitar and banjo, and playing ragtime on the piano.  His mother, a longtime jazz fan, took him to see Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Marian McPartland, Charles Lloyd, and any other artists that came through town.  His brother was a bassist and had an extensive record collection of jazz, rock and hip-hop, which Kramer frequently pawed through.

Kramer developed his ear through listening to his father, experimenting with his instruments, attending concerts, and studying his brothers records.  He studied piano, baritone, and sang with choirs at church.  However, he was particularly drawn to the drums, having his first lesson at the age of five.  Kramer had his first professional gig at age twelve.  In high school, while leading bands and playing gigs, Kramer studied with Sean Dobbins (Johnny ONeal) and Vincent York (Duke Ellington Orchestra, Martha Reeves).  He developed in interest in jazz, and was heavily influenced by drummers such as Jeff Tain Watts, Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, Max Roach and Tony Williams.  He went on to study jazz at the University of Michigan School of Music, where he worked with Ellen Rowe, Michael Gould, Marion Hayden, and Geri Allen.  During his at U of M he was chosen to represent the University at the 2011 International Association of Schools of Jazz meeting in Sao Paulo (directed by David Liebman) and he received a Student Music Award from Downbeat Magazine for arranging.  Kramer Graduated with a BFA in Jazz Studies in December 2011.

As one of the most promising young drummers, Kramers career has already taken him around the country and the globe.  He has performed with Vincent York, Ellen Rowe, Paul Keller, Claude Black, Dwight Adams, Anat Cohen, Ingrid Jensen, and countless others.  His upbringing and his eclectic tastes helped him develop a unique style that combines creative phrasing and melodicism with raw aggression. Kramers music is deeply rooted in the jazz tradition but with a fresh approach that is modern, creative, emotional, spiritual, funky, and always swinging.