Today we’d like to introduce you to Casen Alesi.
Casen, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a percussionist, pianist, and conductor based in Kennesaw, Georgia. I’m currently an instrumental performance major at Kennesaw State University, specializing in classical and jazz percussion and piano. I’m someone who loves sharing my story with others and creating sounds and playing music that really means something to the audience, whether it be sweeping the audience off their feet and taking them on an emotional journey in a symphony with an orchestra or wind ensemble, or making the audience scream and shot in a band.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, being a musician is one of the hardest jobs, mentally and sometimes physically.
Being a musician in Atlanta is very competitive. There’s hundreds of top-quality musicians, top-quality talent, and top-quality leadership here. So for me, as I began taking my career seriously, starting in my junior year of high school, I needed to find ways to stand out. It was hard for me because one, I was a very fresh new face and two, I didn’t know much about advertising myself.
Starting in my first year of college, I was blessed to have had so many opportunities to perform in a variety of various settings. I was playing drums with local churches, playing with my old funk group Cognate Souls as we played shows from Atlanta to Montgomery to Charlotte, and I’ve also performed at such amazing venues from the legendary underground avant-garde venue Eyedrum to one of Atlanta’s top jazz clubs, The Velvet Note.
As I was playing these shows, I found out what made me stick out. I wanted to simply show people my love for music and for people in general. I love seeing people smile, be shocked or start tearing up at my shows because that means I’m playing something that means a lot to them. Usually after my shows, I talk to the audience and get to know them. I get their pictures and we exchange contact information.
I’m very grateful for these moments I get to share with my audience and my fellow musicians.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a musician. I’ve always been interested in music. I danced to music and was entranced by everything from Michael Jackson to Daft Punk to Brahms to Albert Ayler. When I was introduced to band as I transitioned from 5th to 6th grade, I got my first taste in music making and performing.
As the years went by and I took music-making more seriously, I started branching out and joined my worship team at my local church when I was around 12.
Ever since then, I’ve played with some of the industry’s finest, including:
– Joseph Alessi (Principal Trombonist in the New York Philharmonic)
– Bruce Broughton (Composer for Young Sherlock Holmes, Homeward Bound, Silverado)
– Michael Giacchino (Composer for The Incredibles, Up, Coco, etc.)
– Drew Tucker (International touring percussionist)
– Joe Gransden (World famous jazz trumpeter)
– Phil Smith (Former Principal Trumpet of The New York Philharmonic)
– ELEW (Internationally famous pianist)
– Viet Cuong (Famous composer for wind band)
– Gheandie Ciobanu (Artistic ambassador to the country of Moldova)
– Maverick City Worship (Current worship team for Kirk Franklin)
– William May (Famous composer for choir, jazz band, orchestra, and more)
– Kathaj Copley (Internationally respected composer for wind band)
– Frank Ticheli (Professor of Composition at the University of Southern California)
– Johnathan Scales (Internationally famous jazz fusion steel pan player and band leader)
– Gwen Redding, aka RivaBlue (Host of Jazz WCLK Atlanta 91.1)
– Jon Faddis (Internationally known trumpet player and successor of Dizzy Gillespie)
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Outside of music, I’m an avid foodie. My favorite spot for food is this Italian restaurant in Marietta Square called “Piastria”. All I’m going to say is that your mouth will turn into Niagara Falls as soon you smell the food.
Pricing:
- Travel distance of about 30 minutes – $75-100+
- Travel distance of about 45 minutes – $200+
- Travel distance of an hour or greater – $250+
- Solo performer (Piano, Percussion) – min. $250
- Guest Clinician for band, jazz, orchestra or similar – min. $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://basketcasen13.wixsite.com/casen-alesi-band-lea
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseo03/
