"News Stand" by JESSE CHONG

Alex Winfield: "Jesse Chong hails from the resort town of Virginia Beach, VA and is an undoubted master of the game in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area. His success has afforded him a lifestyle dedicated to music as his carefully honed writing and performing skills keep his fan base growing. At 25 Jesse has taken control of his destiny and he continues a prodigious output via his website and exiting live performances. As a solo artist Jesse captures the attention of everyone that hears him, he performs with authority and honesty- the guitar is a natural extension of his character. As a bandleader Jesse surrounds himself with only the best musicians and he brings incredible performances out of the diverse group of talent that he surrounds himself with. Jesse's energetic performances are accessible yet genuine, his devoted following has put him in the upper echelon of the buzzing local music scene. His celebrated songs allow him to put on original shows in venues that normally require cover acts. Jesse is also no slouch with covers, he draws from a list of over 200 songs that include artists such as Bob Marley, the Grateful Dead, Van Morisson, Johnny Cash, and Sting. When trying to define Jesse's style he's often compared to artists such as Keller Williams, Ben Harper, and Dave Matthews. If you were to try and pigeonhole his genre it might read bluegrass-acoustic-reggae-folk-funk. Jesse has been awarded the prestige of 'Best Acoustic Act' by Ninevolt Magazine."

The alternative folk stylings of Jesse Chong are imbued with such hook one wonders how the music keeps from totally assimilating its listeners and forming a worldwide cult of Jesse Chong followers. Not that that would be such a bad thing. His music carries a bit of wry humor, a touch of the southwest and not a little melancholy. It touches gently on a variety of human emotions and eases the listener into a world of beauty and life.

Chong is a winner both artistically but also in terms of award and prestige. He took home the Best Acoustic Artist/Folk Award from 9Volt Magazine and has opened for Norah Jones, Maroon 5, Fishbone, Willie Nelson, John Fogerty, Tim Reynolds and more.


Click here to check out more of JESSE CHONG's tunes!