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Take Five With Jacques Lesure

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By AAJ Staff
July 20, 2013
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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.

vocals
1926 - 2005

" data-original-title="" title="">Oscar Brown Jr.,

George Benson

guitar
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">George Benson,

Kenny Burrell

guitar, electric
b.1931

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Burrell,

Freddy Cole

piano
1931 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Freddy Cole,

Jimmy Smith

organ, Hammond B3
1925 - 2005

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Smith,

Stanley Turrentine

saxophone, tenor
1934 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Stanley Turrentine,

Mark Murphy

vocals
1932 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Murphy,

Oliver Lake

saxophone
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Oliver Lake,

Chico Freeman

saxophone
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Chico Freeman,

Javon Jackson

saxophone
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Javon Jackson,

Les McCann

piano
1935 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Les McCann,

Linda Hopkins

" data-original-title="" title="">Linda Hopkins,

Carmen Lundy

vocals
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Carmen Lundy,

Jon Hendricks

vocals
1921 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Hendricks,

Eric Reed

piano
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Reed,

Wessell Anderson

saxophone
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Wessell Anderson,

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis,

" data-original-title="" title="">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

" data-original-title="" title="">Wilbert Longmire,

Larry Smith

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Smith,

Wes Montgomery

guitar
1923 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Wes Montgomery,

Kenny Burrell

guitar, electric
b.1931

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Burrell,

Grant Green

guitar
1935 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Grant Green,

George Benson

guitar
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">George Benson, and

Pat Martino

guitar
1944 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Martino.

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

When I saw

Joe Negri

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">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

piano
1931 - 1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Clark and

Hank Mobley

saxophone, tenor
1930 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">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

guitar
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Jacques Lesure

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