Mandolinist Jesse Appelman is equally at home in the worlds of American roots music and Brazilian choro, bringing his clear, expressive tone and playful approach to improvisation to any musical setting. Growing up in the Bay Area, Jesse began learning bluegrass mandolin at age 12, inspired by his middle school music teacher, bluegrass mandolinist John Fuller. Later, he fell in love with Brazilian music and eventually lived for a period in Rio de Janeiro, studying and jamming with choro masters.
In the world of acoustic roots music, Jesse co-founded the Lonely Bird Band with guitarist Scott Nygaard and violinist Alisa Rose. He is an in-demand sideman in the Northern California bluegrass scene, and has performed or recorded with artists including the Brothers Comatose, T Sisters, Windy Hill, Mission Blue, Steep Ravine, Amy Scher & Hailey Pexton, Yoseff Tucker, and more.
Jesse is one of a select few North American mandolinists deeply versed in the Brazilian choro mandolin tradition. Living in Rio de Janeiro in 2008, he studied at the legendary Escola Portatil choro academy and took lessons with Rio’s master musicians. He has brought choro music to stages all around California for over 17 years as a member of Grupo Falso Baiano, and in New York City as a member of Regional de NY from 2011-2013. In the Brazilian music world, Jesse has recorded or performed with artists including Anat Cohen, Mike Marshall, Danilo Brito, Rogerio Souza, Vitor Gonçalves, Dudu Maia, Jovino Santos Neto, and Harvey Wainapel.
As a teacher, Jesse has worked with students of all ages and levels at Walker Creek Music Camp, David Grisman and Mike Marshall’s Mandolin Symposium, California Brazil Camp, and as a private instructor at Manning Music.
Notable performances:
SF Jazz
Yoshi’s
Healdsburg Jazz Festival
San Jose Jazz Festival
California Bluegrass Association Father’s Day Festival
The Redwood Ramble
