JESSiE JiVE

For the first few years of Jessie's life, a new found love for music had strongly evolved. From self teaching the keyboard by ear at age 5, to orchestrated songs by the age of 14, JESSiE JiVE's music has changed throughout time. From singing Pop & R&B to freestyle rapping, Jive's style has been thoroughly enjoyed year after year. What sparked her vocal flame was influences such as R&B singer Toni Braxton, classic legends such as Mariah Carey and Motown artists including the Jackson 5, Diana Ross & the Supremes. Hip-Hop was another inspiration to compose lyrics. Listening to Wu-tang Clan, Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G. and Immortal Technique were all a part of creation of a new sound.

JESSiE JiVE is an accomplished musician. Being taught the violin in elementary school at age 9, she quickly realized her amazing talent. She excelled as a violinist and was 1rst chair in the school orchestra. In her first year, she was picked as a select few to compete in the New York State Solo Music Association (NYSSMA). Continuing on as an extraordinary player and competing for several more years with exceptional results, the fire had just been started.

By age 11, Jive had explored the art of poetry. From writing simple poems to converting them into full songs, she had dozens of written content. At 13, the combination of her keyboard playing skills with pop lyrics instantly became bubbly tunes. JESSiE JiVE started out making her songs by recording them with a cassette recorder. With a family of assorted guitarists, singers & producers, the recording aspect was no stranger. Comprising amateur tracks on a karaoke machine itself invoked a passion. A short time later, Jive had been formally trained vocally at The Performing Arts Studio of New York and released her first demo.

At 14 years old, Jessie had set out to be known. With a cassette self-produced and performed with 3 songs and 1 cover of Vanessa Williams "Save the Best for Last" she had been invited to meet with producers in New York City. JESSiE JiVE realized then that she would be a star. After setting the stage for a musical future, Jessie had no intention of limiting herself. She learned how to play the guitar at her middle school music program while and her interest was to play the drums as well. Given a Tama drum set, Jive taught herself the drums with a few pointers from her friends. Jessie's teenage years were spent in a basement band called the "Anti-Popular" comprised of a guitarist, a bassist/singer and her as a drummer continuing to create songs as she progressed as a true musician.

As a musical prodigy, JESSiE JiVE enrolled in a Film & Television technical school. At 15 years old, her classroom was a tv studio filled with hands-on experience as a director, producer, audio tech, editor, writer, floor manager, gaffer, and camera crew. During this time she had a well-rounded knowledge of analog film equipment and digital audio. Attending school at Eastern Suffolk BOCES, she also had membership in VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America.) Jessie had received scholarships for college to schools of the arts, but as she graduated Longwood High School in Middle Island NY, at 17 decided last minute to enroll in the US military.

In 2002, after aiming for a position as a sonar technician, (but lack of job availability) Jessie heroically served as an aviation ordnancemen in the US Navy. Her job included loading, inspecting and maintaining weapons on F-14 fighter jets. After a couple years of service and traveling the US, Jessie was discharged from active duty. A few years had then passed with eye-opening experiences. In April 2007, Jessie was blessed with her first child, daughter.
With every song that is heard, her music touches a real-life story that would be the limelight of a Hollywood motion picture. Her painful lyrics filled with hurt stories combined with a positive outlook for the future is what makes "The Initiation". For this is just the beginning.