Jason Kessler

Jason KesslerJason Kessler

Jason Kessler

Over the past 25 years, guitarist and composer Jason Kessler has performed a wide variety of music, both as a soloist and in numerous ensembles. He studied classical guitar with William Viola, classical composition with Brian Israel, and jazz harmony with Gene Bertoncini. Mr. Kessler's group, Seaflight, has performed in major jazzfests, opening for both Chick Corea and Dizzy Gillespie. He has recorded original compositions with Gene Bertoncini, bassist Glen Moore, and vocalist Kim Nazarian of The New York Voices. His recording with bassist Richard Eckberg, The Double String Duo, has received critical acclaim from Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Mason Williams, Gene Bertoncini, and soprano Phyllis Curtin. Mr. Kessler has revived his Seaflight ensemble, featuring saxophonist Chad Lefkowitz, bassist Jeff Guevin, and drummer Karl Sterling. This new configuartion features Mr. Kessler's original compositions and promises to take the band to an unprecedented level of performance.

The classical twelve steel-string guitar was designed by Mr. Kessler and the noted Irish luthier, George Lowden. The purpose of designing this instrument was to provide a vehicle for performing Elizabethan and Renaissance music on a larger scale than that of the lute or vihuela. The instrument maintains the presence of the modern classical guitar but preserves the extra overtones the additional strings, or "courses," provide. The steel strings also bring a "harpsichord" flavor to the music and should interest many acoustic guitar finger style enthusiasts. The guitar was digitally recorded and mastered by engineer Alfred Grunwell in Greene NY. Mr. Kessler plans to perform Elizabethan and Renaissance music as well as compose and perform modern works for this unique instrument.

Mr. Kessler is currently available for performances and may be contacted either by email or at the following address:

Jason Kessler
12 Street Music
P.O. Box 8033
Syracuse, NY 13217-8033