Noah Jesse has a musical story that does not move in a straight line. It bends through jazz rooms, church choirs, Hip Hop rhythms, temple melodies, freestyle vocals, and the restless creative instincts of an artist who hears music as both language and lifeline. I got to sit with Noah Jesse to discuss his unique journey and philosophy, in my media experience, as a musician and as a music educator. You can view the entire conversation after the recap, and you don’t want to miss the exclusive reveal regarding Noah and Kodak Black…I wasn’t expecting that moment!

According to Noah, he and Kodak connected for a live video via a mutual connection…immediately, my brain said, “How did this Hacksaw Jim Duggan-looking cat link up with Kodak Black?!” Hear the story directly from Noah in the interview video below!

Born in New York and raised amid Florida’s musical and cultural influences, Noah has grown into a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter whose sound is shaped by contrast. His foundation reaches from Jewish temple singing to Black church soul, from classical piano to jazz improvisation, and from the radio energy of the 2000s and 2010s to the production possibilities of today’s digital tools.

That range gives Noah’s work its identity. He is not simply borrowing from styles. He is building from the places that formed him.

From Restless Energy to Musical Direction

Music entered Noah’s life early, partly as a way to channel the kind of restless energy his family recognized in him as a child. His mother suggested drums as an outlet, and while the drum set did not arrive immediately, the idea pointed him toward something bigger.

His sister, a singer active in choirs and local performances, also helped shape his early exposure to music. Classical forms did not immediately capture him, but the feeling of popular music, Hip Hop, Caribbean rhythms, and radio culture did. Those sounds gave him a sense of movement, emotion, and possibility.

In school, Noah began studying classical piano before taking up the trombone. That instrument became a turning point. It introduced him to jazz, complex arrangements, and the feeling of stepping into a sound larger than himself. By eighth grade, a bold solo on “The Chicken” gave him an early moment of recognition and showed him what improvisation could unlock.

Here’s a small sample of his slide work…and YES that’s really him singing…no AI!

A Multi-Instrumentalist With a Producer’s Ear

Noah’s musicianship now spans trombone, trumpet, euphonium, drums, bass, guitar, piano, voice, and percussion. Guitar has become one of his newer creative tools, while synthesizers, MIDI keyboards, and software such as Ableton have expanded his production approach.

That combination of live instrumentation and technology allows him to treat music almost like architecture. He layers melody, rhythm, harmony and texture with the mindset of someone who understands both the emotional and technical sides of sound.

Jazz remains a major anchor. Contemporary artists such as Kamasi Washington have influenced Noah’s view of what modern jazz can become, especially when choirs, orchestras and ensemble work collide with improvisational freedom. His respect for trombone figures such as Ryan Porter also keeps him connected to the instrument’s lineage as he continues to develop his own voice.

Church, Choir and Soulful Expression

Noah’s vocal identity carries another important layer. Growing up around both Jewish temple singing and Black church choir traditions gave him a rare vocal foundation. The result is a singing style marked by runs, warmth and spiritual texture.

That background informs his soul and jazz sensibility. It also gives his performances a lived-in quality. Whether he is singing, producing, playing horns or experimenting with freestyle phrasing, Noah’s work often feels less like performance for effect and more like direct emotional translation.

Finding Confidence Through Improvisation

One of the most important lessons in Noah’s development came from a drum teacher who told him to “play what you hear.” That advice helped him trust his instincts, even when his technique or confidence had not fully caught up to his imagination.

The lesson also shaped his approach to vulnerability. Jazz, at its best, depends on risk. Noah leans into that space by allowing imperfections, instincts, and spontaneous decisions to become part of the music.

That mindset also helped him move through imposter syndrome. Interestingly, his doubts did not center most heavily on singing or playing instruments, but on rapping. With encouragement from a close college friend and creative collaborator, he began treating rap as another outlet rather than a separate world he had to prove himself inside. MESSAGE!!!

Songwriting With Feeling at the Center

Noah’s songwriting has evolved over time. Earlier material leaned into political and social commentary, reflecting the anxieties and questions facing young people in a turbulent world. More recently, his writing has moved toward personal themes, including love, vulnerability, healing, and self-reflection.

His public single “Feel Again” reflects that evolution. With a nostalgic New Jack Swing feel and an emotionally open center, the song offers a strong entry point into Noah’s artistic identity.

He also embraces freestyle singing, often building melodies, riffs, and song ideas in the moment. That spontaneous process connects directly to his jazz roots, where improvisation is not a trick but a form of truth-telling. Honestly, a new concept for me… his description of how this came to him is quite interesting, especially since I don’t make music and this part of the creative world never ceases to amaze me.

Authenticity Over the Algorithm

Noah approaches music with a broad creative lens. He can analyze songs as a musician and producer, but that depth sometimes makes it harder for him to experience contemporary music passively as a fan. Still, he remains inspired by artists who balance songwriting, production, and emotion, citing Steve Lacy as an example of modern musicality with substance. I find it fascinating how music creators can disconnect and just be fans of the art.

For Noah, the goal is not to chase a trend. It is to show the full range of who he is. That includes love songs, political reflections, chill records, raw, emotional pieces, and jazz-rooted compositions that defy easy categorization.

A Bigger Vision Ahead

Now based in Los Angeles, Noah continues to build through collaboration, production, and experimentation. He is currently exploring big-band composition and arrangement, a creative direction that lets him merge his skills as a composer, conductor, and performer.

With a growing catalog of demos and original songs, Noah is positioning himself for wider opportunities as both an artist and collaborator. His ambition reaches beyond one lane. He wants to write, produce, perform, arrange, and connect with listeners through music that feels honest.

The Interview

Why Noah Jesse Is an Artist to Watch

Noah Jesse represents a modern kind of musician: Technically skilled, emotionally open, and unwilling to be confined by genre. His sound moves through jazz, soul, Hip Hop, gospel, and electronic production without losing its center.

What makes him compelling is not only the number of instruments he plays or the range of influences he carries. It is the way he turns identity, vulnerability, and musical discipline into a personal language.

Noah Jesse is still rising, but the foundation is already clear. He is a storyteller, a student of sound, and a creator building toward impact, one note, one phrase, and one honest moment at a time.

Keep up with this young lion on IG @zzz.noah and TikTok @noahjesse.

The post Noah Jesse Blends Jazz, Soul and Hip Hop Into a New Sound appeared first on The Hype Magazine.