Jesse Heasly

Teaches: Bass, Guitar, Piano

Pronouns: He/His

Teaching Philosophy: 
My teaching method is very flexible and student driven. I believe that developing an artistic voice is an incredibly personal experience, so my approach follows the student’s lead by exploring music that is dear to them. This empowers the student to resonate more deeply with art they are drawn to, and empowers the student to create their own art using methods that they admire. I believe this is the best way to tackle all the hurdles that music can present you with, because the student’s love of the material will motivate them to tackle those challenges.

Music Influences: 
I grew up listening to and loving a lot of jazz, rock music and electronica. Artists like Boards of Canada, Tortoise, Radiohead, Elliot Smith, Charles Mingus and Wayne Shorter were in heavy rotation. 

These days you'll find me listening to a lot of music from the 16th and 17th century, japanese ambient music, and I'm still into jazz! Artists like Josquin, Palestrina, Satoshi & Makoto, Ryuichi Sakamoto, the first Miles Davis Quintet, Thelonious Monk are my most played nowadays.

When I’m not making music: 
If I'm not making music I'm probably doing something related to food. I'm always trying new things in the kitchen and experimenting with new recipes. I also have been learning a lot about fixing up a house! We just bought a house in Bath and we're totally inundated with projects.

Current projects: 
Spirits Having Fun: Art-rock collaboration with some musical genius friends in Chicago.
Tsons of Tsunami, an avant-garde surf band. 
Tredici Bacci, a sleazepop ensemble heavily influenced by italian film scores (especially Morricone!) and Frank Zappa. 
Your Next Pie, art-rock songs composed by Katie McShane. 
The Narcotix, psychadelic rock music by way of West Africa.
I also compose ambient electronic music that I release under my own name.

Favorite Place in Maine: Compass Harbor on Mount Desert Island.