Take Five With Jacques Lesure

Meet Jacques Lesure:

Jacques Lesure is a Detroit native who has graduated from Berklee College Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Since his days at Berklee, he has performed alongside Oscar Brown Jr., George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Freddy Cole, Jimmy Smith, Stanley Turrentine, Mark Murphy, Oliver Lake, Chico Freeman, Javon Jackson, Les McCann, Linda Hopkins, Carmen Lundy, Jon Hendricks, Eric Reed, Wessell Anderson, Wynton Marsalis, George Bohanon, and many others. He has collaborated and performed on a variety of stage plays, movie scores, and special projects for television. He continues to perform at clubs, benefits, various celebrations, and jazz festivals both locally and around the world.

Instrument(s):

Guitar.

Teachers and/or influences?

Jerry Byrd, Wilbert Longmire, Larry Smith, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, George Benson, and Pat Martino.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...

When I saw Joe Negri playing jazz on Mr.Roger's Neighborhood.

Your sound and approach to music:

Straight-ahead, no nonsense jazz guitar. I like to study, then play! I am always mindful of soulfulness. The audience will let you know where you are and what you need to work on.

Your teaching approach:

I guide the student with truth and tough love. I look for the things they are doing well first and then work on their weaknesses.

Your dream band:

I would loved to have played with Sonny Clark and Hank Mobley.

What's your greatest fear when you perform?

Boring the audience with virtuosity.

What song would you like played at your funeral?

"Time After Time."

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:

Cop.

Photo Credit

Courtesy of Jacques Lesure