Jesse Colford is a composer for film & games, as well as a woodwind performer and teacher who uses a variety of styles to find expression. Originally from North Andover, MA, he currently works as a freelance musician in Seattle WA. He holds a Master of Music Degree in Film Composition from the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program, and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Composition and Saxophone Performance from Boston University, Summa Cum Laude. He has studied composition with Dr. Hummie Mann and Rodney Lister, and Saxophone with Dr. Jennifer Bill and Amy McGlothlin. |
Jesse's musical experience began with school ensembles including wind bands, choirs, and chamber groups. A proud "theory nerd”, he developed a voice for composition through theory classes and arranging, which he eventually pursued alongside the saxophone at Boston University. While there, he was the only composition student to write original works for the wind ensemble and saxophone quartets, and one of the few to write in the jazz idiom for combos and larger ensembles.
After a few years working in the Boston area, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jesse continued his studies at the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program. There he studied with Dr. Hummie Mann and recorded multiple original works, and contributed themes and underscore to student film projects from across the U.S. and abroad, including Last Race by John Haley and Case Closed by William Peng.
Jesse has been commissioned for multiple works, including “Six Pieces Apart” for Dustin Haigler, D.M.A. candidate at Louisiana State University, “Psalm 46” for Faith Lutheran Church in Andover, MA, and “The Deceiver” for David Rice, undergraduate recital at the University of Rhode Island.
Jesse has been commissioned for multiple works, including “Six Pieces Apart” for Dustin Haigler, D.M.A. candidate at Louisiana State University, “Psalm 46” for Faith Lutheran Church in Andover, MA, and “The Deceiver” for David Rice, undergraduate recital at the University of Rhode Island.
Jesse believes that music should be accessible and enjoyable to the untrained listener, and that it can be a driving force for compassion and empathy. He has volunteered with community groups and choirs and performed in the nonprofit choir Voices 21C, which tours the U.S. and abroad with a mission of global empathy and understanding. Jesse hopes to continue that sense of community and collaboration, and create magic moments for listeners, while composing for visual media. |
Collaborative performance/improvisation with Halim Flowers and Voices 21C
ACDA Rochester, March 2020 |