Jesse Lemons

Jesse Lemons, trumpeter and educator, hails from Ypsilanti, MI. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in trumpet performance. Jesse has worked with such trumpeters as Charles Larkins of the Galliard Brass; Professor Bill Lucas, trumpet professor at U of M and third trumpet in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Robert White, trumpet professor at WMU; Dr. Scott Cowan, jazz faculty head and jazz brass instructor at WMU; and Dr. Scott Thornburg, professor of trumpet at WMU and principal trumpet with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. Jesse focuses on classical trumpet playing as well as Black American Music and shares both passions with his students. He draws inspiration from some of the greatest musical masters: Maurice Andre, Miles Davis, and Dizzy Gillespie

Jesse is a teaching artist at Kids In Tune, part of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra’s Community Engagement programming.  In addition to teaching private lessons at Crescendo, Jesse co-founded its Black American Music (BAM) Ensemble in 2025.