Genna and Jesse are duo alchemy at its finest. Sweet and savory, raspy and smooth,
together they create a unique vocal sound, and then they complement that blend with
Jesse’s prowess at the piano and guitar. Whether they sing their own songs, or the
wellchosen songs of their peers, audiences are along for the ride in an intimate and
inclusive show.
Their live performances are gentle and inviting – yet powerful – due in part to solid
stagecraft and a comfort level with their music and with each other. Another big factor in
their shows is Genna’s subtle phrasing and exceptional interpretation. She delivers songs
as gifts to an audience. The stunning harmonies that Genna and Jesse weave are the final
secret ingredient in their performance magic.
They are not content to perform only their own songs, however. With so much talent flying
under the commercial radar, Genna and Jesse actively seek out and perform songs by
lesserknown artists who they meet in their travels and collaborations. Their evocative
performances of these tunes provide a springboard for connecting community – artists and
audiences. Every show is different because they are not content to sit in their comfort zone.
They stretch their creative boundaries, finding new music and playing with it – truly playing
WITH it, having fun.
Genna and Jesse began performing together in 2009 when Genna hired Jesse to play
piano in her band. While working together, a romantic union blossomed and the two
decided to write and perform as a duo.
Genna Giacobassi is originally from Lansing, MI. Her parents are both musicians and she
grew up surrounded by, and immersed in, music. She attended Interlochen Arts Academy
High School, where she studied voice. A rebellious spirit, she put aside a future in
performing the works of others in order to obey her internal muse. In 1995, still a teenager,
she dropped out of school and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, to hone her
performance and songwriting skills. Her soulful voice is at once easygoing and acrobatic,
with hints of Billie Holiday, Ricky Lee Jones, Lucinda Williams and Joni Mitchell.
Jesse Dyenhasacolorful musical history — hehasdrawn praise forhisantiwar anthem
"Sons andDaughters," fromWillie Nelson, bought beerforJoeStrummer, broken Joan
Baez's guitar string, and been to jail with Daniel Ellsberg. Jesse has selfproduced
hundreds of tracks and has appeared in projects as nearby as Oakland and as far away as
Cape Town, South Africa. His album "Contents Under Pressure," recorded in his
hometown Philadelphia and featuring some of Philly’s finest musicians, has received radio
airplay both domestically and internationally, and was recorded by producer/drummer Andy
Kravitz, who also engineered and produced a number of the duo’s recent singles including
“Tumbleweed and Tonic„ and "I Won't Do it Again."
Genna & Jesse are currently touring the nation to promote their newest release, “Give and
Take.„ The 8month tour, which includes club venues, house concerts, restaurants, cafes,
and festivals, is being done with as small a carbon footprint as possible.