About Me

I am a self-taught piano player.  I learned playing the piano was a positive and creative way to relieve stress. When I was a young man, an eighth grade middle schooler, I tried out for the middle school choir to play the piano, but the choir teacher said to try out for next year.  I told myself. “Just face it Jesse, you are a  lousy piano player.”  Years passed and every so often I would move my fingers as if I was playing the piano.  I did not know why I did those finger movements.  I originally thought I would play the guitar, but I learned it was too challenging and I did not like the guitar.

When I was 45 year old, my wife, Char, purchased an antique piano for $200 at a garage sale.  I asked her “Why did you buy this piano?” She said, “I like the sound.”  I never played that antique piano although Char wanted me too.   In my mind I told myself I could never play a  piano because of my personal failure in the eighth grade. 

In 2008 my mother was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  When she started chemotherapy treatments she was very sick.  I have never seen her that sick before.  One day I felt something come over me to go to the piano.  I put my fingers on the keyboard and I started playing.  It scared me because in eighth grade I was lousy, but that day the music from the piano was beautiful.  On September 8, 2010 my mother succumbed to the complications of lymphoma.  At her funeral I played the piano for her.  Everyone at the funeral was surprised.  My family members whispered to themselves why I was walking toward the piano.  The music I played was what I always played for her at home.

In 2009, the love of my life, had to go to a nursing home.  Her Multiple Sclerosis progressed and weakened her body.  Char needed more help than I could give her.  Putting her in a nursing home broke my heart. It was not an easy decision to make.  I was glad I did not have to make that tough decision alone.  My son Jesse III and God helped make that tough decision.  I miss Char everyday.  I wished she never had MS.

One night while watching TV I saw Lost Voice Guy on “Britain’s Got Talent.”  He is a comedian with Cerebral Palsy.  After I heard his act I told myself if he can do it I can do it.  Lost Voice Guy inspired to audition for “America’s Got Talent”.

Years passed. I became a better pianist. In November 2018 my father Jesse Sr., aged 94, suffered from gangrene in his toes from diabetes complications.  Dad told me and my siblings that he was too old to get his toes amputated. In the meantime I was getting prepared to fly out to Los Angeles, California on February 4, 2019 to audition for America’s Got Talent.  On January 23, 2019 dad was rushed to the emergency room.  The emergency room physician diagnosed dad with sepsis and was admitted to the Medical Surgical Unit for 7 days.  On January 30, 2019 my dad came home from the hospital.  He needed 24 hour care. Someone was always with my dad.  On February 1, 2019 surrounded by all of us loved ones along with his faithful pet Chispa.  My dad died.  My dad’s funeral was held the same day I was supposed to fly to Los Angeles, California.  I lost my dad and my dream all in one day.

My family and friends tell me I am stronger, wiser, and a better piano player.  I am excited and want to share with the world my gift.

Char and I celebrated her 60th birthday
Char is happy to be with me