JESSIE T packs a punch – blending country sweetness with a pop-rock edge. Jessie released her FACTOR funded debut album Reckless Heart in September 2016 produced by award-winning producer J. Richard Hutt (Northern Pikes, Tom Cochrane, Jamie Warren) and her CMAOntario nominated second studio album, Burning Back, in November 2023. This seven song EP was nominated for final ballot at CMAOntario awards for Album of the Year (2024), and features tropical sassy song I Can Be Your Margarita as well as female power anthem Just A Number.
Growing up in Kingston Ontario, Jessie found her roots performing at local country fair singing competitions. Since moving from Kingston to Kitchener in 2012, Jessie has been headlining venues and festivals across Ontario including Harrow Fair, Manitoulin Country Fest, JUNO Host City Music Exchange, Trackside Music Festival and Kitchener Waterloo’s 50th Oktoberfest. Jessie has played alongside some of the best in Canadian country music, including Dallas Smith, James Barker Band, Michelle Wright, Dan Davidson, Adam Gregory, Steve Wilkinson, and Beverley Mahood. Also growing her resume as a background vocalist, Jessie is a fixture in other recording artist’s band including Jason Blaine and Graham Scott Flemming.
Recognized for her songwriter’s mind and performer’s heart, Jessie has been nominated for Country Music Association of Ontario final ballot (Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (Burning Back), 2024), Waterloo Record Reader’s Choice Award (Local Artist and Local Entertainer, 2020-2023), Kitchener-Waterloo Woman of the Year (2023), and KIX 106 Songwriting Competition (Winner, 2012). Jessie’s music has been in rotation on Sirius XM, CBC radio and several other indie and BDS stations across Canada, in addition to stations in the United States, Australia, China, New Zealand and Germany.
Since 2020, Jessie has been growing her release catalogue as a writer to include singles from artists such as Jamie Warren, Amanda Kind, Katy Topham, Jake Davey, David Madras, Angelica Appelman, Taylor Wilson, Peter Peres, Eric Jackson and The Griffin Brothers.
Back-home, community-minded values have always been at the centre of Jessie’s career. She has been a part of local benefits for organizations such as Bereaved Family of Waterloo Region, the Woman’s March in Waterloo Region, Lissard & Innisfree Hospice, The Elizabeth Fry Foundation. She also has served on judging panels for artist development competitions including The Shot, has sat as a juror for the City of Kitchener Create and Connect Grant, as well as guested as a songwriting mentor for Kitchener Library’s ImagineIt Songwriter series. Most recently, Jessie has been hosting an annual Ugly Sweater Christmas Party which has raised over a thousand dollars for Food Bank of Waterloo Region (2022-2023). She also has been an artist representing the Lullaby Project. Partnered with Carnegie Hall, Roy Thompson Hall, and Centre in the Square, this project pairs new and expectant parents with artists to write/record personal lullabies for their babies.