Jesse Perez

Jesse Perez

Jesse Perez is a US dance music producer and DJ from Miami. He works in tech house and house, and also uses the alias Jesse James for work that moves across other styles, including hip hop, reggae and rock.

Career

He begins producing in the early 2000s and builds a profile in dance music through releases on his own label, Behold Recordings, which he runs with production partner Ariel G. His first production appears on O Recordings, after which he releases a series of tracks on his own imprint. Those releases receive chart support from major DJs and circulate widely in club collections.

His name gains further attention through remix support from artists including Saeed Younan, Jeff Bennett and Ariel Baund. Tracks associated with his early recognition include Dance Tonight, Conscious and a remix of Gorillaz’s Feel Good Inc.

Background

Perez grows up with music in the home, with his mother playing piano and encouraging his interest in music. He studies classical and jazz before turning to DJing in his teens, when a friend introduces him to the art of mixing and to the Acid software program, which helps shape his approach to production.

Style and alias

Alongside his core house and tech house work, he uses the name Jesse James for crossover projects. Under that name he aims to work in a wider range of genres, rather than remaining within dance music alone.