Jesse Roper

Jesse Roper began 2015 with the release of his second album Red Bird at a sold out release show in Victoria BC at Sugar Nightclub (cap 650). Since then, known for his explosive live performance, Jesse Roper has become the go-to west coast festival draw, securing him direct support slots with artists such as Keith Urban, Lee Brice, Colin James, Tower of Power, Spirit of the West and Beth Hart. A hardworking touring musician, over the past year Jesse Roper played his way through three west coast/prairie tours, twelve festivals (including Rock the Shores, Rifflandia, Sunfest, Burnaby Roots and Blues), three industry festivals including Folk Alliance International in Kansas City, CMW in Toronto ON and Break Out West in Victoria BC, with dozens of headlining and support dates throughout. Jesse Roper’s Red Bird album was nominated for a 2015 West Coast Music Award for Best Blues recording and invited to represent Victoria and showcase at the 2015 WCMA Gala.

Jesse Roper was born and raised in the rural community of Metchosin, British Columbia. He first started playing the guitar at age six when his father bought him a guitar after he had showed interest in playing. Roper did not, however, perform on stage until his late-twenties due to a fear of public performance. "I was scared to go on stage or play in front of people," he stated in 2014. "My buddies in high school all knew I played guitar, but I kind of hid it away. I had no desire to play in a band. It was very closeted for me." Before deciding to pursue a career as a professional musician Roper worked at various jobs, including working as a painter for eight years, but found that he "was busy, but wasn't happy."