Bio
Drummer Jesse Hameen II is a musician with a mission. He is dedicated to entertaining and inspiring others to attain a higher level of spiritual consciousness. He is driven by his desire to encourage others to know that life's conditions can be changed and improved.
Born in New Haven, CT, Hameen's family upbringing and his background in gospel, afro-Cuban, R&B and jazz prepared him to begin successful road tours in 1963. He has since traveled and performed extensively throughout the United Slates, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico. He has been leading his own group, Elevation, since 1976.
"Cheese", as he is called by many of his peers and friends because of his spirited smile, has performed, recorded and / or appeared on national TV with many of the following artists: Ruth Brown, Charles Brown, Grover Washington Jr., George Benson, Lena Home, Ms. Irene Reid, Gloria Lynne, Freddie Cole, Stanley Turrentine, Curtis Mayfield, & The Impressions, Ruby & The Romantics, Charles Earland, Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Witherspoon, Hank Crawford, Lou Donaldson, Etta Jones, Tommy Flanagan, Rodney Jones, Leon Thomas, Pharaoh Sanders, Little Jimmy Scott, Blue Mitchell, Kenny Burrell, Brook Benton, Arthur Prysock, Jimmy Ponder, Melvin "Sparks" Hasan, Major Holly, Doug Carn, Curtis Fuller, Bobby Watson, Harold Vick, Freddie Hubbard, Jamil Nasser, Dr. Lonnie Smith, David "Fathead" Newman, Kenny Baron, George Adams, Benny Powell, Curtis Fuller, Rueben Wilson, George Adams, Talibe Kibwe, Paul Brown, Christian Sands, Donald Smith and others.
Though extensive, the list is not complete - for Jesse's productive professional career spans more than 60 years and continues to this day!
Jesse is President and Founder of Inspire Music Recording Company. The company has produced two releases, "Thanks To You" and "Moving Out" by vocalist Ms. Irene Reid on Hi Note Records. Also three releases "Give Your Life To God" by Jesse Hameen II, "Why Don't You Say, Yes Sometime?n by trombonist Benny Powell and "Hit It" by the Neo Bass Ensemble on Inspire. Inspire has achieved national and international distribution and national radio airplay on many major jazz stations.
EDUCATIONAL AFFILIATIONS
• Neighborhood Music School (NMS), Jazz Department Coordinator, New Haven, CT
(one of the top ten largest private music schools in the USA).NMS Summer Jazz Program, Director
• ECA Education For The Arts High School, New Haven, CT, Percussion instructor
• The Hartford Conservatory of Music, Hartford CT, Adjunct Professor
• Jazzmobile , New York, NY
• Wesleyan University, Middletown,CT Resident Artist
• Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School, Visiting Artist
• Jazz Haven at Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School, New Haven, CT
• Clara Mohammed School, Corona, NY, Music Curriculum Developer/Director
• Sackwern Community Center, Bronx, NY, After School Program Developer/Director
As a music community activist, Jesse is a consultant, mentor and friend to many.
Contact Info: Website: jessehameen.com Email: jhameen2@gmail.com or jesse@iessehameen.com
Telephone: 203-435-8442 Cell
C O M P O S I T I O N S R E C O R D E D:
Leon Thomas, "Blues and the Soulful Truth"- Flying Dutchman album FD10155.
"China Doll"
Billy Larkin And The Delegates "Ain't That A Grove"- Liberty Records Album WPS 21843.
"Tarantula"
Jesse Hameen II and Elevation "Give Your Life To God"- Inspire Productions IP0001.
"Give Your Life To God"
"Elevation" .
"Contribution"
"Victory".
"Unity"
"Raccoon Man".
Melvin "Sparks" Hassan - This Is It- Savant Records
"Give Your Life To God"
Christian Sands- Rising
"Give Your Life To God"
Ms Irene Reid "Thanks To You" Savant Records
"Thanks To You"
"Living In Harmony"
Ms Irene Reid - Savant Records.
"Aiming At Nothing"
M U S I C B U S I N E S S:
President and Founder of "Inspire Productions Recording Company" which has released the following recordings:
"GIVE YOUR LIFE TO GOD" by "Jesse Hameen II and Elevation"
"THANKS TO YOU" by Jazz and Blues vocal artist "Ms. Irene Reid" Savant Records
"WHY DON'T YOU SAY YES, SOMETIME?!" by Trombonist "Benny Powell" IPCD0003.
"HIT IT" by "The Neo Bass Ensemble" featuring Bassist Lylse Atkinson IPCD0004.
D I S C O G R A P H Y (Partial Jesse "kilpatrick" Hameen II Discography)
Jimmy McGriff
"Soul Sugar" Capital Records 59-616
"The Way You Look Tonight" Solid State Record Co. SS18063
"A thing To Come By" Solid State Record Co. SS18060
"Something To Listen To" Blue Note Record Co. Bst84364
"State Of The Art" Milestone Record Co. M9135
Hank Crawford / Jimmy McGriff
"Right Turn On Blue" Telarc Record Co. CD83366
Charles Earland:
"Living Black" Prestige Record Co. PR10009
"Soul Story" Prestige Record Co. PR10018
Gloria Lynne:
"This Ones On Me" Highnote Record Co. HCD7015
Ms Irene Reid:
"Thanks To You" Savant Records
"Moving Out" Savant Records
Leon Thomas:
"Blues And The Soulful Truth" Flying Dutchman FD10155
Rodney Jones/Tommy Flannagan:
"My Funny Valentine" Timeless Record Co. SJP162
Melvin Sparks:
"Texas Twister" Prestige Record Co.
"Akila" Westbound Record Co.
Billy Larkin & The Delegates:
"Ain't That A Groove World Pacific Record Co. WPS-21843
"Hole In The Wall" World Pacific Record Co. WPS-21837
"Hold On" World Pacific record co. WPS-21850
Vinny Knight:
"Doing Things For Her" GPRT Record Co. VK7993-CD
Jesse Hameen II & Elevation:
"Give Your Life To God" Inspire Productions IPC0001
A R T S A D M I NI S T R A T I O N:
Member of Local 802 Musicians Union Jazz Committee 1992 -
Worked in the Harlem and greater Manhatten community to improve the lives of Jazz musicians and promote the art of Jazz.
Attended meetings with community leaders, politicians, libraries and institutions
Member of Jazz Foundation of America's Emergency Fund Committee
Helped with identifying and screening applications of musicians in need.
Providing financial assistance, free medical service and free counseling for Jazz musicians experiencing problems.
Went out in the community to help solicit Doctors and agencies to participate.
Had face to face confidential interviews with musicians and referred them to the Jazz Foundation of America. Conducted periodic workshops on Music Business, Production and Distribution.