JESSE MONTIJO

Saxophonist, Jesse Montijo began earning the respect of his colleagues and mentors at an early age when he received the prestigious Clark Terry Scholarship at 14 years old.

Jesse has performed with several Grammy Award winning artists, including iconic blues legend, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Jazz trumpet virtuoso, Roy Hargrove, and Ibanez guitar artist and producer, Larry Mitchell. Additionally, Jesse’s also performed with trombonist, Fred Wesley, renowned musical director for James Brown’s famous backing unit “the J.B.’s”, and Sam Mayfield; musical director for Grammy Award winning iconic soul legend, Solomon Burke.

Jesse studied with and performed along side the legendary Eddie Harris, Jazz pianist Joe Bonner, and Master drummer/percussionist, Jimmy Hopps. These iconic musicians are renowned for their recordings and performances with Jimi Hendrix, Pharoah Sanders, Bo Diddly, Freddie Hubbard, Richard Davis, Elvin Jones, Stanley Clarke, Ron Carter, Stanley Turrentine, Les McCann, Woody Shaw, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk, to name a few.

Additionally, Jesse was mentored by Pulitzer Prize Winner Phyllis Laursen; Lyricist for multi Grammy winners, Sting, Bobby McFerrin, Linda Ronstadt, and Wynton Marsalis.

For the last four years Jesse has been a vibrant member of NYC’s Jazz Foundation of America representing them in Milwaukee with the Jazz Foundation Quartet with Legendary Jazz guitarist Manty Ellis, bassist Jeff Hamann, and drummer Victor Campbell.

Jesse is an alumnus of the Lamont School of music. With varying styles ranging from Jazz, Soul, Blues and Pop music, Jesse offers a vast knowledge of improvisational techniques for any Instrumentalist with the desire to improve their improvisation skills.