ABOUT JESSE
Singer, songwriter, and music educator Jesse Palter has built her career on authenticity, agility, and an ever-evolving musical curiosity. With roots firmly planted in jazz and branches stretching into pop, soul, and children’s music, Palter is an artist who refuses to be confined by genre—yet remains unmistakably herself in every note she sings and every song she writes.
When the 2020 lockdown brought live music to a halt, Palter turned inward, building a home studio and releasing the spirited singles Better Days and 2020 Vision with longtime collaborator Jake Bass. She also seized the moment to revisit Nothing Standard, her long-shelved jazz album that had been eclipsed by her label debut Paper Trail (Mack Avenue/Artistry Music, 2019). Produced alongside Chris Dunn and featuring an all-star trio—Michael Jellick, Ben Williams, and Gregory Hutchinson—Nothing Standard became a definitive statement of identity: a collection of eight original songs and inventive reimaginings that bridged her Detroit jazz roots with her contemporary voice as a songwriter. Since its release, the album has amassed more than 5.1 million streams worldwide, a testament to its resonance with both longtime jazz fans and new listeners alike. Its lead single, “Spinning Round,” has been embraced by peers including Sara Gazarek and Cécile McLorin Salvant, cementing Palter’s place as a writer of modern-day standards.
Raised in Detroit, Palter’s musical story began early—singing before she could talk, mastering oboe and trumpet, and eventually pursuing jazz voice at the University of Michigan. By her teens, she was performing professionally and soon earned multiple Detroit Music Awards. Her artistry deepened through mentorships and collaborations with greats. Beyond her work as a jazz artist, she co-founded the pop-soul duo Palter Ego, alongside pianist/keyboardist Sam Barsh. Their music, featured in national television and advertising campaigns, showcased her ability to fuse jazz sophistication with pop accessibility, further expanding her creative reach. Palter has since toured internationally, earning acclaim for her versatility and emotional transparency on stage.
Most recently, Palter has turned her focus to Tunezies, her groundbreaking children’s music project that merges her jazz pedigree with her passion for early childhood education. What began as a response to gaps she noticed in the family music space has grown into a dynamic program of classes, performances, and original songs designed to spark creativity, joy, and a lifelong love of music. In 2024, she was awarded the Jazz Road Creative Residency Grant from South Arts, enabling her to record the first full-length Tunezies album in New Orleans with an ensemble of world-class musicians. At the beginning of 25, Palter began to introduce this music to families worldwide, creating a catalog of songs that are as musically rich as they are accessible. This journey culminates with the release of her debut children’s album, Tunezies: Vol. 1, in August 2025.
In addition to her work in children’s music, Palter was awarded the 2025 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Grant, a project that merges the playful, imaginative spirit of Tunezies with her ongoing work as a jazz composer. This new body of music will expand her vision of creating art that speaks across generations—bridging sophistication and accessibility, and inviting audiences of all ages into a shared musical experience. She also proudly serves as a Governor of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Recording Academy, where she contributes her voice and perspective to shaping the future of the music industry.
For Palter, the through line across every project—whether on stage, in a recording studio, or in an educational setting—is simple: music as connection. “Sometimes the road to being the most honest version of yourself is a messy, beautiful scribble rather than a carefully planned straight line,” she reflects. “But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.”