A lot of people are always fussing about the history of House Music. Not everyone was lucky enough to be one of those gifted few who were rockin' the turntables back in the late 70's and very early 80's. On a personal mission, I was lucky enough to actually track down one of the individuals who was there at some of the most pivotal moments in music history. An individual whom, to this day, still preaches and promotes his love and dedication to a music that has turned the hearts, minds, and souls of millions upon millions of people to letting themselves go... TO DANCE!

Jesse Saunders, born March 10, 1962 in the home of "House Music," Chicago, Illinois, USA. Imagine if you can, a boy who is born with an inner mission. A mission to find out to how to express his deepest, and most heart felt emotions. With the support and teachings of his mother, Jesse was welcomed into the world of music, and was introduced to a realm where he could let all it all out. He learned about every instrument he could get his hands on. He grasped each musical concept quickly and transferred each skill to the next instrument. He learned how to write, read, think, and believe in Music.

With years of musical background, a sixteen year old Jesse Saunders is introduced to the Night Club experience, seeing a DJ interacting and leading his dance floor with his records. Realizing that all these people were following one groove, one rhythm, solely created by the DJ, Jesse took it upon himself to learn a new instrument - the turntable!

Mastering the art of mixing and turntablism would be an ongoing experience for Jesse for the rest of his life. Not only did Jesse learn how to mix, but then moved on into the studio, creating the music that he would play at all the DJ gigs he would end up getting. Him and many others in that early era of the 80's would come together to create a certain sound that Jesse would start a movement with the likes of one record. The first HOUSE record - On & On by Jesse Saunders, would be the record to start such a change, and feeling in the music industry to come.

Jesse Saunders, now a DJ for 21 years, and a producer for 15 years, has taken the time to put down in black in white the history of House Music in his new book, "House Music... The Real Story" With the new release of his book, re-release of all the original songs from the Pioneers of House Music, and a new tour being planned, I thought I would delve a little into his life and share some info about one of our beloved House Music creators.

DJ Dennis
March 1999

The following interview was conducted by DJ Dennis in February 1999:

What drew your attention to DJ'ing?

My brother Wayne Williams, and being able to entertain people... make them dance and feel good all over!

What drew your attention to producing?

Wanted to make a record after seeing Vince Lawrence had made one. I had always been a musician, and I had a hot commodity with "On & On."

What do you do for a job other than producing or DJ'ing?

I am a Music Industry consultant, President of Just Say Books, President of Broken Records and Just Say Records (a division of the Under Cover Music Group in London), owner of Gangster Music, Jes Say Music, Jesse Saunders Music, Don't Fix It Music (publishing companies), Managing Director of Just Agency (booking agency for some of the top DJ's in the world and most of the female DJ's from all over the world)....

Where/who do you work with/prefer to work with?

In terms of production, I prefer to work with Marva king. She is the dynamic and astounding female vocalist in The Artist's New Power Generation. She is also a prolific writer who has received many awards from ASCAP. We have written many hits together for the likes of Jermaine Stewart, Lionel Richie, and others...

How long do you usually spend on an original song in comparison to a remix?

An original song takes me maybe 4 hours or so to produce. Marva and I work very fast and smoothly together. She's the best at what she does (vocal arrangements melody and lyrics) and I'm the best at what I do (arrangements, instrumentation and melody). A remix may take me a couple of hours depending on whether I have to time-stretch vocals or not.

What software, computer equipment, studio equipment, DJ gear, do you prefer to work with on a consistent basis?

I don't use computers. It's not natural to me for making music. Recording is a "hands on" process, not a move the mouse this way and click process. The only piece of equipment I need to arrange my songs and remixes is my MPC-60 (sequencer and drum sampler). That's right, I have the original prototype made back in 1988. I also use the Roland Groove Box (505) because it has all the original 808, 909, 303, etc. sounds that I used in the beginning of "House." I am partial to the E-mu Vintage Keys, because it has the "classic" sounds from the 70's.

What is your focus when you go into the studio?

My studio is in my house. I have a 24 track digital system. I don't focus on much actually. That's how I get things accomplished, because I don't think about it. I just do it. Music flows from me like water when the time is right. I know when the time is right because I am drawn to the studio at that point. I don't rush to do anything. One of the best things I've learned over the years is that you cannot force creativity. I think this plagues a lot of people which is why it takes them so much time to produce things

What is your main goal when you DJ?

EDUCATION! I take my crowd on a "MUSICAL JOURNEY" when I play. I play all types of "House" for it's all "One Nation Under A Groove." I don't like when other DJ's say "I only play Techno, or Trance, or whatever." This is putting limits on style that has no limits. People can appreciate all types of music if you let them. The DJ is the driving force behind promoting the music. Therefore, it should be his first goal to break new music, not play the same old records over and over again....

How hard was it to promote yourself in the beginning ... What is some advice you would want to give to any up and coming DJs/producers?

It wasn't hard because I created the whole scene as I went along. It was much easier in those days because there weren't many DJ's, and there especially weren't many good ones. I learned to mix records together, re-edit them "live," scratch, etc. when there weren't but a few others that could do it. My advice to up and comers; Don't quit your day job. There's too much competition out there. Unless you're just doing it for the love of the music, don't do it! That has to come first. Making money in this business is not easy at all. So don't do it for the money ...

Where has your musical talents taken you to around the world, where was your favorite place and why?

It's taken me to just about every country in Europe, including Greece. I've also been to Japan, Mexico and Canada. Upcoming I will be going to South Africa, Malta, Australia, South East Asia, South America and many more with the BOOK TOUR. My book has opened up so many new frontiers. My favorite place to go by far has been Athens, Greece. This is because the people are so friendly, the women are some of the most beautiful I've seen all over the world, the weather has similar climate to Los Angeles which is almost perfect, the architecture and the history dates back almost to the beginning of time, and the people are very much into my music...

What are current projects you are working on now?

"House Music... The Real Story," which is the true story of the origin of "House Music and its progression into "Techno" will be released during the Winter Music Conference in Miami. I'm also finishing my new album which is R&B based, but with a "House" feel... Can't give anymore away! There is a new single "I CAN'T STAND IT" which is from the album, but also musically defines the book.....

If you had a chance to work with any person in the world,who would it be and why?

Hmmmm... I've worked with most of the legends already, like Smokey Robinson, Sister Sledge, George Clinton, El Debarge and Mavis Staples. But I guess the only one I haven't worked with yet is Chaka Khan. She has always been the most phenomenal voice in music to me my whole life.

We covered many other areas, but most of my in depth questions were answered by reading his book "House Music... The Real Story." I would definitely have to say that having the chance to talk with one of the originators of House Music was a great experience. It made me do some serious research and opened my eyes to some events that I never knew happened. I learned a great deal about some of my favorite producers and influential DJs and how they all worked together in their own ways to help create what we all know and love today as "HOUSE MUSIC."

For more information on Jesse Saunders, the Pioneers of House Music, the history of house, Just Say Productions, or "House Music... The Real Story," you can read up on all of them on Jesse's Web site:

www.JustSayPro.com.

You can also get more insight with my book review in next month's issue... 'til then...

Uphold the Soul...
Live the Feeling...
House Music All Night Long...

Respect from your Friendly Neighborhood House DJ.