by Dean Sternberg
Rhythm & News Magazine
January, 2002

Jesse Moore's career as a musician spans nearly four decades, an endeavor that has taken him from the stage of the famed Apollo Theatre to exotic regions of the world otherwise left untouched by most touring bands.

Touring and performing made way for acting, and Jesse became a well-known name in the world of theatre and television, landing major roles in "Jesus Christ Superstar" (as Judas), "Law and Order" and "The Bold and the Beautiful."

Music, acting and a dynamic personality made him friends in high places, including people such as Bonnie Raitt and Simpson's creator Matt Groening.

Jesse's zest for life and all that comes with it is as expansive as his book-worthy biography. But get him talking on subjects such as New Orleans, the origins of Mardi Gras and what could be called his own personal spiritual entourage (three different psychics have told him that he is followed by a group of spirits), and you'll get the sense of a man who has finally found his niche, so to say.

"What I'm doing now is the most fun, exciting music I've done so far," said Jesse. "I feel so at home with this."

That niche is a form of music that crosses the spicy danceability of New Orleans swing with R&B and rock. Think the Neville Brothers meets Dr. John meets Little Feat and you'll get an idea of where Jesse is at these days.

Now residing in Kerhonkson, Moore has entered yet another stage in his life. As if to personify this new direction, he has taken on a nick name that should leave little question of what to expect at a Jesse Moore show: Just call him the Hoodoo Man.

Hoodoo is a body of magical practices and folidore that finds its American origins among southern blacks during the days of slavery. A Hoodoo "conjurer" would create concoctions and potions for the purposes of protection, love, luck and healing.

As a musical parallel, Hoodoo Man songs are meant to be a fun, uplifting experience. It is apparent on Jesse's debut CD as the Hoodoo Man with songs like "Mendin' Ya Wayz," "Hoodoo Man," and "Wrong Kind of Woman" that angst and heavy heartedness have no place in his musical vision.

But it is live where the Hoodoo magic seems to actually flow, as demonstrated by live versions of the same songs that Jesse sent along with the studio CD. "This music cuts across all age groups," said Jesse, who performs often at places like the Oasis in New Paltz. "It's very danceable. The average age at the Oasis is 19-20 years old. They won't let us leave the stage."

The music itself seems to attract musicians, Jesse said who often works with fairly large-sized bands that include horns. "Musicians who work with me are willing to do it for free because they love this music," he said.

Jesse took an interest in music while grow ing up in New York City. Singing doo-wop on the Street corner helped keep him out of trouble and neighborhood gangs, he said.

By the age of 12, Jesse's vocal abilities landed him a job as a staff demo singer at the Brill Building on Broadway.

During the early 60's, musical careers could be constructed in the Brill building. One could write a song, bring it to publishers, then get it arranged on `lead sheets for $10, then go to another floor and get a demo made by hiring some of the musicians who hung around in the building. It was even possible to make a deal with some of the record companies in the building with the demo.

"Everything was very compartmentalized," recalled Jesse. "Songwriters weren't really allowed to sing much."

Long, strange trip

Someone, Jesse said, talked him into taking a group to the Apollo Theatre for one of its legendary talent nights. Contrary to the romanticism attached to the notion of introducing oneself to an audience for the first time on the Apollo's infamous stage, the experience wasn't always a pleasant one.

"The Apollo at that time was very scary and rough," said Jesse. "The audience would often scream at performers, `fuck you, you suck,' that kind of thing.". But the audience took to 13-year-old Jesse's rendition of a Smokey Robinson song. He won $25 and a recording contract, and actually auditioned for Smokey Robinson and the original Temptations a short time later. Smokey ultimately turned Jesse down, telling him that he sounded "too much like me." But the Apollo experience opened the door to the music business for Jesse, who got a manager and began meeting producers;

He began playing bass and soon wound up as a pit band member at the Brooklyn Apollo Theatre as a bassist and background singer. He later hit the road as a touring blues and R&B bassist and singer, which led to him to Tokyo years later and five albums on RCA Records as one of the members of The Houserockers.

When the Houserockers broke up in Bangkok, he created Black Fire and toured the Far East, Australia and New Zealand, playing before huge audiences.

After Black Fire came Prophecy, and Jesse became a huge name in the far East, one of the first Americans to do so in that region. Members of Black Fire and Prophecy later jorned forces for a six-month gig at Barabarella's in Singapore, for which the band rehearsed with no electricity in a Malaysian jungle. Along with fellow band members, Jesse later started up a successful nightclub in Bangkok.

Jesse reformed Prophecy after returning to America and toured clubs up and down the west coast. He tried his hand at acting and worked alongside stars that included Christopher Reeve. It was during his acting days in the 1980's that he met Bonme Raitt, whom he dated. It was she and friend Matt Groening who turned him on to New Orleans and the music that resides there.

After losing the fire for acting, Jesse turned to music again full-time after moving to the Hudson Valley. He decided on the New Orleans sound after recording five songs, each a different genre, in California. One of those songs was "The Hoodoo Man," which recounted a trip to the doctor.

"I almost killed myself driving and writing the lyrics," he remembered. "Out of those five songs, Hoodoo Man stood out and made me feel the best, so I went in that direction." After recording the song, people began calling Jesse "The Hoodoo Man, a nickname that has stuck.

Although the Hoodoo Man began playing out in the Hudson Valley as a solo act primarily for the enjoyment, he is now looking to get a booking agent and move on to festivals, colleges and corporate gigs. Another CD is also in the works and should be released early into the New Year.

It is almost a given that a musician/writer like myself would want to get the perspective of someone who has spent nearly 40 years deeply immersed in the music business about today's music.

"Most radio stations are starting to sound the same; a lot of them are owned by the same three companies. As a result, older artists are having a hard time getting played. Paul Simon recently released one of the best albums of his career and he can't get it played."

In addition, Jesse is the founder and operator of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary. As the Hoodoo Man and the only Hudson Valley musician at the moment to be performing this genre of music, Moore has something new to offer those that are looking for a "cure that ails them," musically speaking.