Jesse Meman
Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet, Guitar, Bass
Education/Background
In first grade Jesse Meman played concerts with the Avalon Elementary School Ukulele Barbershop Quartet for several PTA’s and the school. In Taney Jr. High School, he performed as lead guitarist/singer.
In Crossland High School he was writing songs and performing them at
small gigs, and open mic venues such as The Oak Tree,
Oxon Hill Library, Agora Pub and others.
phyllis breuer
Nick Meman
In 1976 Jesse began studying rudiments of jazz on saxophone with Ronnie Deale, lead alto saxophonist for the Navy Commodores. He then studied classical saxophone with Bill Street and Chris Ford as well as classical flute with Mary Beth Kiss at St. Mary’s College of Southern Maryland.
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I Since graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s in 1981, I have spent my career focused on music and education, working closely with clients, students, parents, colleagues and associates.
Dante Bishop and Joe Houze at Oxen Hill High School 1999
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 Vattel Cherry and Chuck Farrell |
 Zack Dupy, Ben Thompson and Lauren Rostek |
 steve zerlin |
I have worked with numerous students (from young children to professional adults) nurturing their interest and skills in music. I have continued my music education studies at the graduate level at George Mason University.
Windmill Sax Quartet - Ken Plant, Phil Burlin, Clayton Englar
Jesse participated in several Master Classes that range from classic jazz with the famous Cat Anderson, Cab Calloway, Keter Betts, Charlie Byrd to contemporary studies with Jackie Byard, Anthony Braxton,
Muhal Richard Abrams, Archie Shepp, and many others.
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 Cat Anderson, John Zidar, Jim Hannah |
 1979 |
Performance History
While attending St. Mary's College, I formed and composed for
Frequent Archestra, whose renegade performances (which became part of many frisbee golf tournaments, parties, and Music Department concerts) included classically composed songs, traditional freebop,
20th century musics and free songs for settings for trio to octet.
We also played Christmas Carols.
After graduation, we performed in various instrumental groupings as Frequent, and Frequent Archestra (from straight-ahead to 20th century
avant-garde) monthly at DC Space, as well as in concerts for
University of Maryland's Twentieth Century Consort.
It has been my honor to have musicians of the highest caliber perform
with me, many not included in the pictures below.
Here, my original compositions for two settings of
Frequent Archestra
were recorded at Red Apple Works recording studio.
Frequent 1981
Ed Scott, Tigi Taloa,
Dave Andreason
Frequent Arc 2009
Ben Thompson,Dave James,Dave Andreason,
Bill Roberts,Ben Gage
Working Gigs
My experience includes playing in the pit orchestra for “The Stars of Lawrence Welk”, Tony Kelly Orchestra featuring “Tina Turner” several theatrical productions including “Grease” and “Anything Goes”, and other stage bands for shows at various venues including Trump’s Castle and Casino and the Trump Tower in Atlantic City for Regis Philbin. I have played functions for American presidents as well as European royalty at weddings in Europe. I have played at the Breaker’s Hotel, in Palm Beach Florida, The Copa Cabana, New York City, and many notable venues in Washington, D.C.
Featured soloist on saxophone (alto, tenor, soprano and baritone), flute, and clarinet for the following:
Jazz :
Gaylord Resort Jazz Trio, The Radiance Ensemble, Frequent Arc,
Peter Fraize featuring Jon Carlos Schiaffini,
George Washington University Free Poetry Band.
Ran Blake, Frank Kimbrough, Paul Murphy, Ben Allison, Clifford Jordan,
Carl Grubbs, Anthony Braxton Big Band.
Bands:
Eddie Stone, Greg and the Macgregers, Mudfish, Tangent, Highway Star, Rick Normoyal, and many agency bands such as Productions Unlimited, Washington Talent, Music Unlimited
Latin :
Los Professionals, Ricky Losa, Evolutiones dos Mill,
La Pacha(Haitian,Afro,Cuban) Coriente Tropicale, Paligro and others.
Big Bands:
King James and the Serfs of Swing, Doc Scatlin and the Imperial Palms Orchestra, Peaches Odel and the Royal Cocoanuts, Tom Cunningham, Richard Bray, Tony Kelly Bigband, The Metronomes,
Kaleidoscope, Stars of Lawrence Welk, Potomac Jazz Orchestra
and many others.
Recordings
Windmill Saxophone Quartet:
Very Scary
This and That
Masters from Different Worlds (featuring Clifford Jordan, and Ran Blake)
Touch of Evil (featuring Ran Blake,
Ben Allison, Frank Kimbrough, and Paul Murphy)
Touch of Evil Live at Twin’s
Jesse Meman
Meman by Windmill
Peter Fraize featuring Jon Carlos Schiaffini
Post Deconstruction
Steve Zerlin
Bazen’s Wednesday Night Pizza Band
fresh oven baked
Don Lerman, Hally Schonberg,
Craig Bazen,Jeff Greg
Merry Christmas Take One
King James and the Serfs of Swing
Introducing…King James and the Serfs of Swing
Composition/Arranging
My original music and arrangements have been recorded on numerous occasions including television. I have written for several combo settings, from duets to contemporary bigband, completed an original Kyrie for band and choir in 1993, and compiled a volume of Charlie Parker duets in 2004.
I was the chief composer and arranger for Windmill Saxophone Quartet for more then 20 years. I have led and composed for Frequent Arc for 30 years.
 Mark Gilbert & Bruce Robinson |
 Ken Plant & Phil Burlin |
 Tom Monroe |
Bio
Jesse Meman (saxophones, flute, clarinet, guitar and bass) has been a part of the Washington/Baltimore music community for well over 25 years. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s College of Southern Maryland in 1981 where he studied saxophone and flute, and post-graduate classes in music education from George Mason University. Jesse has participated in numerous Master Classes with internationally known artists such as Cab Colloway, Cat Anderson, Muhall Richard Abrams and others. He has performed with a variety of ensembles throughout his musical career. He has been featured soloist with jazz combos, pit orchestra for theatrical productions, Top-40, Latin and Big Bands. He has lent his composition and arranging skills to several groups and his charts have been featured on recordings. Throughout his musical career, Jesse Meman has combined his experience, education and love of teaching. He works with students of all ages, focusing on nurturing their skills and interests in music.
