Obie Jessie has written over 200 songs, among them, It Don’t Happen No More, recorded by Pat Benatar, Pie In The Sky and The Man Ain’t Ready, by the late Esther Phillips. It’s not unusual these days to find much of his work online, covered by numerous blues groups making their mark. His hit, Mary Lou, has been covered by an innumerable number of blues artists including “Screaming“ Ronnie Hawkins, Bob Seeger , Frank Zappa and Steve Miller.
He’s toured Europe, Japan and the United States. Using his experience in the industry, he shares knowledge through workshops and seminars on blues, jazz and rock and roll.
Obie Jessie transformed himself from age 15, when the music business was a newer frontier, through 5 decades, commandeering the growth path his career would take.
Born in a small suburb outside Dallas, Texas, Obie’s family moved to Los Angeles when he was 9, where the celebrated Central Ave was the first jazz venue, in the western United States and host to notable musicians of color. All created a fabulous ambiance of music and independence within the black community.
By his teens, Obie was in his first doo-wop singing group, the Debonairs, born in the hallways of Jefferson High School where Jessie sang baritone. The group evolved into The Hollywood Blue Jays, releasing their first single, written by Obie, I Had A Love.
The Song gained momentum, the group sought out another label, and auditioned with Modern Records. Under the Modern label they re-recorded I Had A Love and renamed themselves The Flairs. They recorded several singles on the Flair label between 1953 and 54. The Flairs debut concert was at the Shrine Auditorium, and their performances were electric.
By late 1954, Obie left The Flairs and wrote his most definite hit, Mary Lou. He became Atco/Atlantic recording artist, Young Jessie, with a hit, star power and writing talent.
The young 50s teen star worked the Apollo Theatre and toured the country, sharing the bill with BB King, The Platters, Little Willie John, Bobby Blue Bland and The Coasters, as well as friend Johnny “Guitar” Watson. Young Jessie had releases on Capitol, Vanessa and Bit.
By 1959, Obie discarded the Young Jessie image and admits that this most pivotal, career altering decision came while living in New York and meeting Duke Ellington. It was after that meeting that Jessie transitioned to jazz vocalist/pianist and settled into his niche, in which he is brilliant.
Obie recorded his first jazz album The Wrong Door for Capitol Records. During the early 60s, he was writing and recording on Mercury with Quincy Jones. In 1962 he cut Be Bop Country Boy and My Country Cousin backed by Bumps Blackwell’s orchestra.
From 1964 to 1991 Obie Jessie became a familiar face to the supper club venue with his Obie Jessie Trio and was music director for Esther Phillips from 1976-1981.
He recorded the album Whatever Happened To Jr? with musicians Oscar Brashear, Doug Carn, John Heard, Billie Higgins and Bennie Maupin. His second CD, Here’s To Life is jazz gold, and his unforgettable creation, Trane Home, marked by the positive alliance he had with the late artist, John Coltrane, touches everyone’s soul.
Obie’s fans are truly blessed by the focused sharing of his experience through his vocal deliverances. It’s all there: every high note and low note, a testament to the integrity and drive it takes to continue to ride the wave in the music business.
