Jesse Davis began playing the alto saxophone at the age of 10. Although drawing his first influence from Grover Washington Jr. Davis was encouraged by Ellis Marsalis two years later at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts(N.O.C.C.A.) to listen to Charlie Parker. This would prove to be the catalyst for serious study and pratice. Other notable N.O.C.C.A. graduates include: Wynton, Branford and Delfeyo Marsalis. As well as Terence Blanchard, Harry Connick Jr., Donald Harrison and Nicholas Payton.After studying at Northeastern Illinois University('83 -'86) in Chicago, Davis transfered to William Patterson College in New Jersey. During which time he landed his first professional gig with the Illinois Jacquet big band( '87 -'89). The first week at the Village Vangaurd was followed by an eight week tour in Europe, after returning Davis enrolled in the New School for Jazz in Manhattan. While a student, Davis was given the oppurtunity to participate in a recording with the great Cedar Walton(Davis' first professional date"As Long as there's Music"Muse Records '89) Later that same year Davis found himself playing with Chico Hamiltons Quartet, Junior Mance and Tanaried(Rufus Reid and Akira Tana) the latter proving to be fruitful in more ways than one. While in the studio recording with TanaReid("yours and Mine") Davis was asked by Concord Records president Carl Jefferson to Join the Concord label leading to a ten year stay('90 -2000) and seven recordings. In '93-'95 Davis was a member of the Clark Terry Quintet. Since 1992, Davis has led bands and performed at clubs, festivals and concert halls around the world. Including performances with Hank Jones,Kenny Barron, Mel Torme, Al Grey, Jay McShan, Mulgrew Miller, Phil Woods, Gary Bartz, Charles McPherson,Ray Brown, Ron Carter,Buster Williams, Jimmy Cobb, Alvin Queen, Lewis Nash,Walter Bishop Jr., The Newport Allstars, Jazz at lincoln Center. Even appearing in Robert Altmans 1995 movie "Kansas City."