Jesse Waldman

A staple of the East Van music scene, Jesse Waldman’s bluesy, roots-driven sound reflects his deep connection to the city and its diverse culture. His songs tell stories of the streets, people, and places that define Vancouver’s creative heart. Each element plays a part in how he articulates something profound and universal, enigmatic and joyful. His songs often take flight after quiet, introspective nights and curiosity-filled days; every song bears the signature of a songwriter exceptionally unafraid to wear their heart on their sleeve. As an accomplished and intuitive lead guitarist, Jesse delights his audiences with his refined, effortless technique, wide range of styles, and dynamic improvisations.

Out of a musical journey that began with the discovery of a guitar collecting dust in an attic in the suburbs of Thornhill, Ontario, Jesse continues to draw inspiration from folk, Americana, and traditional blues. He has toured throughout Canada, Western US, and the UK, and has been a headliner at the Burnaby Blues & Roots and Mission Folk Music Festivals. Other festival appearances include TD International Jazz, Harmony Arts, White Rock Jazz & Blues, Elevate, and Kispiox Valley Music. Jesse has been a performer on VIA Rail’s Artist on Board program and Homeroutes tour circuit, is a multiple Creative BC grant recipient, and has appeared on UBC, Roundhouse, and CBC Radio.

Jesse’s debut album, Mansion Full of Ghosts, heralded by Vancouver Sun, Penguin Eggs, and The Georgia Straight, was an exploration of a city’s duality, with all of its beauty and shadows, expressed through varying moments of lush, orchestral arrangements to hushed duets over expert fingerpicking. The result was a beautifully crafted album that celebrated the pursuit of hope, and gently reflected on an oftentimes weighty effort to “keep a light on in the dark”. Canadian Beats praised, “infused with a hopeful tinge, Mansion Full of Ghosts is a wholesome, masterfully written debut that will appeal to fans both old and new.”

Jesse’s sophomore album, The Shimmering Divide, set for release September 20th, 2024, sees him collaborating with long-time musical partner Marc L’Esperance. The storytelling on Divide is deeply personal, delivered with the acuity of Jesse’s poeticism and Marc’s glittering harmonization and multi-instrument contributions. The songs are watercolours of people and places Jesse has encountered and truly cared about, presented humbly and gorgeously as an acoustic-based collection of alt-folk ruminations. The album holds a fresh wisdom gained since Mansion but maintains the virtuosity of playing and delicate ear for arrangements, serene and richly lulling like that of a train, which some of the songs just happened to have stirred from, jotted down in journals from the West Coast to Ontario.

Reflecting on the album title, Jesse shares, “For me the title ‘The Shimmering Divide’ represents the age-old battle between good and evil, which path to take to do the right thing in your life. Those points are charged with possibilities that can change you forever.”