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Gene Ess

Award-winning guitarist Gene Ess's unique style stems from a multicultural background. Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Gene Ess grew up on a US Air Force Base on Okinawa, where he studied piano while receiving a mix of influences. Gene's early years were filled up with the sounds of classical music, from Beethoven to Chopin, while growing up surrounded by indigenous melodies, and pop and jazz music coming out of American military clubs. All this amounted for an early obsession with music.

Fellow musicians and instructors considered young Gene a prodigy and, by the early age of 14, he was a busy musician, performing all around Okinawa. After graduating high school, Ess left for George Mason University. There, he pursued classical music studies with Andres Segovia's disciple Larry Snitzler, and orchestral composition under Dr. Glenn Smith.

In 1983, after earning an 'Outstanding Performance Award' from Downbeat magazine (for his rendition of Lennox Berkeley's 'Theme and Variations'), Gene received a scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music. It is during these years in Boston that jazz influences took a deeper root in Gene's music. While he studied with Jerry Bergonzi and Charlie Banacos, Gene became an avid listener of the jazz masters, and the music of John Coltrane became a focal point of reference in his creative development.

Gene graduated with honors from Berklee in 1990, and moved to New York in 1991. All throughout the early 90's, Gene recorded and toured worldwide with the late drummer Rashied Ali. During the course of these collaborative years, Gene played with Carlos Santana, Ravi Coltrane, Matt Garrison, Lonnie Plaxico, Archie Shepp, and Reggie Workman among others. This joint project with Rashied Ali produced one singular album, 'No One in Particular.'

Soon thereafter, Gene kick-started his own career as band leader, which has produced eight outstanding records that combine Gene's keen ear for musical collaborations and a strong personal point of view. In his initial albums, Gene explored and expanded the possibilities of modern jazz, increasingly featuring original compositions developed for a traditional quintet format (piano, bass, drums, sax and guitar). This period culminated with his 2009 album, 'Modes of Limited Transcendence,' which received great reviews globally, and the prestigious 2010 SESAC Outstanding Jazz Performance Award.

During these years in the New York performing scene (Blue Note, 55Bar, Iridium, ShapeShifter Lab, Red Hook Jazz Festival), Gene shared the stage with jazz luminaries including Dave Liebman, Al Foster, Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Harvie S, and many others.

In 2012, Gene released an album featuring vocals for the first time. This record, titled "A Thousand Summers," consisted of beautiful songs from the jazz canon carefully arranged by Gene and the bassist Thomson Kneeland, and counted with the collaboration of the vocalist Nicki Parrot. After that, Gene took the concept of vocal music to a new level with Fractal Attraction, his latest project.

Launched in 2013, Fractal Attraction is a vocal and multi-instrumental quintet ensemble (voice, piano, guitar, bass and drums) that has been collecting praise and accolades. The three albums under the band's belt ('Fractal Attraction' [2013]; 'Eternal Monomyth' [2015] and 'Absurdist Theater' [2016]) have been presented with SESAC's National Performance Activity Awards and have garnered international critical acclaim for their innovative use of the lyric-less voice to expand the instrumental armamentarium, and for their tireless expansion of the jazz language.

The band is a fixture in the greater New York City area, where it performs consistently in independent and established venues, such as the Scholes Street Studio or the Blue Note. The front line of the band has remained consistent from its inception, with Gene Ess leading on the guitar and Thana Alexa as vocalist. Other remarkable musicians that have taken part in this project include Gene Jackson or Clarence Penn (drums), Thomson Kneeland or Yasushi Nakamura (bass) and David Berkman, John Escreet or Manuel Valera (piano).

In addition to his individual development as a person and an artist, Gene keeps a sense of commitment to the creative community in his adoptive city. Gene has been a member of the NYC Kettle Music Collective, and currently participates in the 4X Collective that brings together like-minded composers from New York City.

Awards

SESAC Outstanding Jazz Performance Award 2010
SESAC Outstanding Jazz Performance Award 2014

Gear

Gene endorses and plays: CP Thornton Elite "Gene Ess" Custom Guitar, Xotic RC Booster, and Xotic AC Plus. Gene Ess uses vintage tube amps by Gibson, Fender, Vox, Kalamazoo.

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Take Five with Gene Ess

by AAJ Staff
December 22, 2022

Meet Gene Ess Award-winning guitarist, Gene Ess, draws upon a diverse background to form his unique style. Studying classical piano, Gene's early years were filled with the sounds of Beethoven and Chopin. Originally from Tokyo, Japan and growing up on a U.S. Air Force Base on Okinawa, Gene was simultaneously receiving a mix of influences: he was exposed to the indigenous music of Okinawa and--to the pop and jazz music coming out of the clubs for the American soldiers.

Album Review

Gene Ess: Apotheosis

Read "Apotheosis" reviewed by Chris Mosey

by Chris Mosey
March 19, 2019

The inspiration for Apotheosis, Japanese-American guitarist Gene Ess's fourth album, is taken from mythologist James Campbell's book “The Hero with a Thousand Faces," first published in 1949. In this Campbell describes apotheosis as “the expansion of consciousness a hero experiences when defeating his foe." His theories concerning fictional heroes have been used as a template by many modern writers and artists, including George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars films. Now Ess is applying them to jazz. ...

Album Review

Gene Ess: Absurdist Theater

Read "Absurdist Theater" reviewed by Jerome Wilson

by Jerome Wilson
October 9, 2016

On this CD guitarist Gene Ess and his group Fractal Attraction have put together an intelligent fusion of jazz, folk and rock concepts led by the glassy clarity of Ess' guitar and the calm beauty of Thana Alexa's voice. Alexa's rising and falling wordless tones are the first thing heard on the disc and they lead into a pretty, slow theme built on a methodical blend of voice, guitar and Manuel Valera's piano. The quiet mood continues on “Circe's Compassion" ...

Album Review

Gene Ess: Eternal Monomyth

Read "Eternal Monomyth" reviewed by Geannine Reid

by Geannine Reid
September 15, 2015

Award winning guitarist, Gene Ess, draws upon a diverse background to form his unique style of playing and writing. Eternal Monomyth is a companion piece to Ess' last album, Fractal Attraction. Ess explains, “the music should be heard in that regard. In a transparent sense, it is a continuation of my exploration with the combined timbre of the female voice and the electric guitar wrapped up in original compositions and supported by a piano trio. But acutely, it is about ...

Catching Up With

Gene Ess: Blending Passionate and Pensive

by Jud Branam
September 4, 2013

Fresh off the release of Fractal Attraction (Simp, 2013), which blends traditional combo jazz lineups and approaches with a unique take on vocal jazz, Gene Ess is a man with a lot on his mind as it pertains to career, place--and music in general. Ess is enthusiastic about his love of jazz, classical and rock music, but is also pensive about the tough state of the music economy and the prospects for working jazz. He's also excited about ...

Album Review

Gene Ess: Fractal Attraction

Read "Fractal Attraction" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
August 7, 2013

Using the voice as a melodic and harmonic instrument above and beyond scat singing or vocalese is increasing in popularity, as evidenced in recordings like Beata Pater's Red (B&B Records, 2013) and Lola Danza's The Island (Evolver, 2012). Vocalist Thana Alexa joins guitarist Gene Ess for an expansion of Ess' genre-breaking jazz philosophy, using the human voice as instrument, thus broadening its palette of applications in jazz. On the whole, Ess' compositions are angular, with sharp corners ...

Album Review

Gene Ess: A Thousand Summers

Read "A Thousand Summers" reviewed by Edward Blanco

by Edward Blanco
April 2, 2012

In a rare departure for Gene Ess, who has always favored original music and instrumentals, the veteran jazz guitarist has partnered with acclaimed vocalist and bassist Nicki Parrott for A Thousand Summers, a refined album of familiar jazz standards and love songs. When Ess began developing the project, he naturally focused on new material. One day he performed with a singer at New York's renowned Blue Note jazz club. As he so aptly puts it, the experience “seemed to have ...

Performance / Tour

Gene Ess with Nicki Parrott at Somethin' Jazz Club on November 22, 2011

Source: SIMProductions
November 7, 2011

Gene Ess featuring Nicki Parrott to perform a special Thanksgiving concert previewing the upcoming album at Somethin' Jazz Club, NYC on Nov. 22nd, 2011 7PM to 10PM. Gene Ess—gtr/arrange James Weidman—piano Thomson Kneeland—bass/arrange Gene Jackson—drums Featuring Nicki Parrott—vocals. Tuesday, Nov 22, 2011 1st set 7PM, 2nd set 8:30PM Cover $15 with $10 minimum Somethin' Jazz Club 212 East 52nd St, 3rd Floor NY, NY 10022 Tel: 212-371-7657 “Guitarist ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz Pair Are Note Perfect

Source: Gene Ess
May 25, 2011

Award-winning musicians Gene Ess and Niki King are joining forces for two special shows at Blue Note this month. Guitarist Gene—who has played with such greats as Carlos Santana, Ravi Coltrane, Al Foster, Rashied Ali and Dave Liebman—asked former UK Jazz Vocalist of the Year King to collaborate with him after a friend sent him a copy of her single Wild Is The Wind. He said: “Her singing really spoke to me musically, as it was very mature and heartfelt, ...
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Performance / Tour

Gene Ess - Modes of Limited Transcendence - Concert - June 25

Source: Michael Ricci
June 25, 2010

Award winning guitarist Gene Ess will perform with his stellar quartet on June 25th. The group will feature Gene's original compositions from his Modes of Limited Transcendence album. This album received a prestigious award from SESAC on March, 2010 for “outstanding jazz performance".

Accompanying Gene Ess on guitar is Greg Tardy on saxophone, Thomson Kneeland on bass, and Gene Jackson on drums. Come and share in the creative process!

June 25, 2010 @ 8PM and 10PM - $20 cover

Miles ...
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Award / Grant

Gene Ess is Honored by SESAC

Source: Kari-On Productions
April 2, 2010

New York: SESAC honored its affiliated composers in the jazz genre with the Sixth Annual Jazz Awards Luncheon. The event, held at New York's popular Red Eye Grill, honored the Top 10 jazz albums of 2009.

SESAC executives Trevor Gale and Linda Lorence Critelli hosted the luncheon which drew an audience of some of the genre's top artists, songwriters and publishers for the festive event.

“We look forward to this event each year as our way of thanking and ...
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Performance / Tour

Gene Ess Trio @ The Bar Next Door, NYC

Source: Kari-On Productions
November 13, 2009

Award winning guitarist, Gene Ess, will bring his trio to the Bar Next Door on Nov 21, 2009. The sets are at 7PM and 9PM. This concert will feature Gene Ess with his long time members Harvie S and Gene Jackson.

Considered a child prodigy by fellow musicians and instructors, Ess performed in clubs and festivals all around Okinawa at the early age of 14. After graduating high school, not satisfied, Ess left for George Mason University. There, Ess pursued ...
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Performance / Tour

Gene Ess Double Guitar Quartet with Rodney Jones

Source: Kari-On Productions
September 1, 2009

Award winning guitarist, Gene Ess, will bring his double guitar quartet to the Blue Note on Sept 13,2009. The sets are at 12:30PM and 2:30PM. This concert will feature Rodney Jones and Gene Ess in a double guitar musical exploration. The rhythm section of Harvie S and Joey Saylor will add to a great afternoon of music.

Considered a child prodigy by fellow musicians and instructors, Ess performed in clubs and festivals all around Okinawa at the early age of ...
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Recording

Gene Ess - "Modes of Limited Transcendence" CD - Available Now!

Source: All About Jazz
April 1, 2009

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Event

Gene Ess CD Release Party for "Modes of Limited Transcendence" at Blue Note

Source: Kari-On Productions
December 11, 2008

Gene Ess CD Release Party Modes of Limited Transcendence

Day: Sunday Date: January 4th, 2009 Time: 1st Set 12:30PM 2nd set 2:30PM Location: Blue Note 131 W 3rd Street New York, NY 10012

Directions: Blue Note New York is located on West 3rd street, between 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) and MacDougal street. The Subway lines that stop right next to our doors are the A, E, ...
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Music Industry

Gene Ess and Tigran Hamasyan - Recording and Dates

Source: All About Jazz
May 5, 2008

Guitarist Gene Ess and his quartet will be recording a new album in June, 2008. This new work will feature the 2006 Thelonious Monk Piano Competition 1st place winner Tigran Hamasyan on piano. Along with the recording dates, the quartet will perform the new material on June 12 at Cachaca and on June 17 at Drom NYC.

At twenty-one, pianist Tigran Hamasyan has already done much to launch his name into the world of emergent young lions. He has toured ...
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Performance / Tour

Gene Ess "Sandbox and Sanctum" Quartet at Big Apple Jazz

Source: All About Jazz
November 30, 2007

A rare combination of facility and emotion drives Sandbox and Sanctum with energy and unrelenting genius of composition. Ess has put together a fascinating Quartet featuring Grammy nominated, Donny McCaslin (sax), Gene Jackson (drums), and Harvie S (bass). Ess's out of the box, hard driving, modern guitar lines create a release filled with depth and angular colors. “Sandbox and Sanctum" is a release for the hard-core listener that expects superior musicianship and cerebral interaction. Ess has caught the eye of ...
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"It would be a bit foolish to say that in the vast ... It would be a bit foolish to say that in the vast world of recorded jazz, you still have to look for music of substance. Considering how much jazz is released on a regular basis, there’s more than enough music to go around, but sometimes they end up bring nothing but sonic clutter. Gene Ess is not clutter, in fact for some it may be the jazz album you’ve been seeking for for most of your life. He was born Gene Shimosato, a cool enough name right there but that’s besides the point. For now he is known as Gene Ess, which in a way is cool in itself but that will leave potential listeners and fans to question “what’s Ess?” Now you know. He could’ve been Gene @, and people would’ve asked “at what?” At his music, that’s what, and his music is incredibly played and recorded on his brand new album, Modes Of Limited Transcendence (SIMP). Ess produced this alongside engineer Randy Crafton and mix engineer Sal Mormando, and on top of that, Ess mastered this disc himself. The Japanese tend to have a keen ear, and as I’m currently listening to the audiobook of Oliver Sacks Musicophilia I learned that there is a strong belief that some ethnicities do have a better sense of listening and comprehension, although it is uncertain still as to how this happened. Is it with the ear canal, or the hairs within the ear? That’s besides the point, for we are talking about Gene Ess. Ess plays the guitar in a Pat Martino-style occasionally offering a few Pat Metheny touches, or at least this is what I hear. Whether it’s a luxurious solo or something that plays along the piano melody (courtesy of Tigran Hamasyan, he plays with such elegance and grace that you wished he would record more so you could buy his entire discography, or hopes he performs at a nearby jazz venue for two weeks so you could skip meals and check out whatever they play. Then there’s the incredible rhythm section of Tyshawn Sorey drums and Harvie S (no relation to Ess, on bass), and these guys play with the kind of finesse reminiscent of some of the best jazz albums of the 1970’s, when freeform could weave itself into bebop or bop while mellowing out in the ECM range. “Messiaen Shuffle” is a track that combines all of these elements into an energetic song where you can visualize the walk and strut created by Ess while the traffic and disgrunted faces (created beautifully by Hamasyan, S, and Sorey) are put in view. The tone that Ess has is most welcome, not distorted nor complex, not unlike Larry Coryell. The contrasts and coloring of these musicians are not so much precise, but… how do I say this, it’s an exciting listen to not only hear musicians play like this, but to hear it recorded and mixed so well. Keen musicianships, keen ears, keen love of jazz and music, and creativity in general. If you welcome these things, welcome Gene Ess into your mental vicinity. One of the best jazz albums of 2008." ~RunOff Groove

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