Jesse Ramirez
Jesse Ramirez was born in San Angelo, TX in 1988. He first picked up guitar at age 13, learning basic chords and playing in the church choir at St. Mary's Catholic church. His family was already active in the choir; his mother (Socorro) directed and sang, and his father (Jesse I) played guitar and sang as well. Jesse continued his music education throughout junior high and high school as a percussionist. At Lake View High School he played in both the concert band and marching band. During his sophomore year, he saw a place to further his skill and joined the high school jazz band as their electric guitarist. Jesse began his classical studies during his senior year at Lake View. He competed in the UIL state solo contest playing Fernando Sor's “Variations on La Folia”. Despite being only self taught on the guitar thus far, Jesse advanced all the way to the State competition level. After graduating high school in 2006, Jesse took one semester of courses at Angelo State University in San Angelo as a percussion major. His passion for guitar remained strong and would soon lead him away from home.
In the spring of 2007, Jesse began his first semester as a guitar performance major at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. At Tech he currently studies under the direction of David Brandon. Brandon is a world acclaimed guitarist who toured for 15 years with well respected Christopher Parkening. Jesse started his first semester building technique and learning basic classical pieces. From then on he continued to work on concert repertoire. In the fall of 2008 Jesse joined the TTU Celtic Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Christopher Smith. The Celtic Ensemble showcases traditional music from the seven Celtic nations and performs various concerts and charity events throughout the region. This ensemble has given Jesse the opportunity to try out another instrument: the mandolin.
In the spring 2009 semester alone, Jesse played for an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, participated in a master class featuring the Athens Guitar Trio, taught private students, in addition to various gigs he played for at restaurants, coffee shops, and private parties. In the summer of 2000 Jesse attended the 35th Annual Christopher Parkening Master Class in Bozeman, Montana. He was one of the selected students to represent the class in a public masterclass recital at the end of the event. Christopher Parkening is celebrated as one of the world’s preeminent virtuosos of the classical guitar. For more than a quarter century, his concerts and recordings have received the highest worldwide acclaim. The great Spanish guitarist Segovia proclaimed that “Christopher Parkening is a great artist—he is one of the most brilliant guitarists in the world.” (source: www.parkening.com/index.html)
Jesse graduated from Texas Tech University on May 14, 2011 with his B.M. in Music Performance. He has moved back to San Angelo to open his own guitar lesson studio – West Texas Guitar, where he will teach private lessons. Jesse also continues to book public & private events in and around West Texas.
Here is a list of venues that Jesse has played:
San Angelo: Butlers Pantry restaurant - Peasant Village restaurant - In Vino Veritas Wine Market - Cactus Hotel - San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts - Bentwood Country Club - San Angelo Country Club - D'Vine Wine - various private parties in town and surrounding areas
Lubbock: Cafe J - Private parties in and around - Sugar Browns Coffee - D'Vine Wine - Funky Door Wine Room - Grand opening events - Nazareth Home Merch community center
West Texas Guitar Festival: Instructor at yearly festival held on the campus of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX
Music Theater productions:
Little Shop of Horrors - Joseph and the Amazing Techni Color Dreamcoat -