Spending a few moments with Jess Novak
By: James McQuiston
Today, we are speaking to Jess Novak.
- Can you give us a little background information about yourself? How did you get into music?
I’m from New Jersey and grew up in a somewhat musical family. My great-grandfather and his brothers were all professional musicians and my Mom’s name is Melodie – but she doesn’t play or sing. However, she does have a great appreciation for music (so does my Dad) and they asked me what instrument I wanted to learn when I was a kid. I said piano. They said they didn’t know a piano teacher – so I took violin lessons instead. I started when I was seven years old and loved it, but didn’t love classical music. I was most inspired by what my older brother, Jon, listened to – Kool and the Gang, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Jaco Pastorius. Those were the artists who shaped me. “Jungle Boogie” and “Wrapping Paper” were my first favorite songs.
