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  M​usic & creativity runs in my family. My dad, singer & entertainer Jerry Wallace hit it big in the '50's & ''60's with songs like "Primrose Lane", How The Time Flies, In the Misty Moonlight & more... His career spanned decades, recording well over 20 albums.

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  My mother was an underwater ballet/synchronized swimming national champion, & then moved on to follow her passion as a professional interior designer. My grandfather was an artist who created beautiful, unique, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.

 

   My Stepfather, jazz pianist, composer & arranger Dennis Michaels, has also been a huge influence on my musical direction. He has worked with Fred Travalena, Florence Henderson, to name a few & most recently has touried, recorded & arranged with the legendary singer, Keely Smith.

 

 I have played with the duo known as "The Fabulous Bluejayz". Also with Wallace & Phines (duo). Others I have played with, Stephen Phines, Mike McClaren, Dave Hinz, Tami Pallingston & Nalini Cogswell & Pete Dyszczakowski. I have recorded 6 CD's, most notably "Treehugger" which includes the hit song, "Julia Butterfly Hill, Are You Up There Still?" The song is featured as theme & background music in the full-length documentary, "BUTTERFLY", that has aired on POV/PBS & has been screened in numerous theatres worldwide.

 

 I play a Fender Stratocaster with minimal effects. I am a vocalist & also play slide & blues harp.

bio

​Jesse Manzanita

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