JesseSingers like Patti Page, Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt and Reba McIntyre have recorded his songs. People magazine compared his voice and style to James Taylor.

Now Friday Harbor has the chance to see one of the most prolific songwriters of the ‘70s when Jesse Winchester brings his voice, his guitar and his songwriting talents to the Whittier stage on Saturday, March 21.

Born in Louisiana, Jesse grew up playing guitar and brought his music to Canada in 1967 to avoid the Vietnam War draft. During that exile, Canadian Robbie Robertson took an interest in Jesse’s career, helping him land a record deal to produce Jesse’s self – titled debut album. Aided by the drum and mandolin work of Levon Helm and the engineering of Todd Rundgren, the album signaled the emergence of a sensitive and literate tunesmith that invoked the tone of the ‘70s.
Jesse’s songs like ‘Yankee Lady,’ ‘The Brand New Tennessee Waltz,’ ‘Mississippi, You’re on My Mind,’ and ‘Biloxi’ have been recorded by numerous artists. He has recorded almost a dozen of his own albums-his most recent in 2001: Live at Mountain Stage. The concert’s Business Partner is Earthbox Motel & Spa.

At the San Juan Community Theatre

Cost:
$22 Adults; $11 Student Reserved; $5 RUSH