American Jazz Guitarist-Composer-Producer
As a professional guitarist, Jerry has performed Jazz, Rock, Top 40, and Country music in show bands and various musical groups during his 40+ year career as a musician.
In the early 1970's, while still a teenager, Jerry Younce had already become an active player in Detroit’s burgeoning jazz scene. A scene which fostered jazz giants like Earl Klugh, Kenny Burrell and J.C. Hurd, all of whom inspired the young guitarist. Jerry recalls, with clarity, an evening spent in Baker's Keyboard Lounge watching the legendary Burrell, his eyes glued on the guitarist's fingers as they flowed across the frets. After a set break, Burrell put a hand on Jerry's shoulder and uttered, "You're a guitar player aren't you kid?" To Jerry, it was as if he'd been touched by Jesus. The newly christened guitarist never looked back. He pursued Jazz Studies at Wayne State University, and guitar under the direction of jazz guitarist William Leavitt at the Berklee College of Music. A stint playing in show bands solidly launched his career as a professional guitarist. Jerry has performed Jazz, Rock, Top 40, and Country in various musical groups and collaborations during his 40 -year career as a musician.
One of his most rewarding collaborations began in 2009, when his youngest son, Ryan, asked him to perform with his band at Short's, a small Brew Pub in Bellaire, Michigan. The patrons dug the combination which juxtaposed Jerry's jazz background with Ryan's rock and world fusion leanings. The father and son had such a good time, that they decided to form a duo- Younce Guitar Duo. Since 2009, the pair have been entertaining audiences with their exquisite guitar performances inspired by jazz, fusion, flamenco and other world music.
In the early 1970's, while still a teenager, Jerry Younce had already become an active player in Detroit’s burgeoning jazz scene. A scene which fostered jazz giants like Earl Klugh, Kenny Burrell and J.C. Hurd, all of whom inspired the young guitarist. Jerry recalls, with clarity, an evening spent in Baker's Keyboard Lounge watching the legendary Burrell, his eyes glued on the guitarist's fingers as they flowed across the frets. After a set break, Burrell put a hand on Jerry's shoulder and uttered, "You're a guitar player aren't you kid?" To Jerry, it was as if he'd been touched by Jesus. The newly christened guitarist never looked back. He pursued Jazz Studies at Wayne State University, and guitar under the direction of jazz guitarist William Leavitt at the Berklee College of Music. A stint playing in show bands solidly launched his career as a professional guitarist. Jerry has performed Jazz, Rock, Top 40, and Country in various musical groups and collaborations during his 40 -year career as a musician.
One of his most rewarding collaborations began in 2009, when his youngest son, Ryan, asked him to perform with his band at Short's, a small Brew Pub in Bellaire, Michigan. The patrons dug the combination which juxtaposed Jerry's jazz background with Ryan's rock and world fusion leanings. The father and son had such a good time, that they decided to form a duo- Younce Guitar Duo. Since 2009, the pair have been entertaining audiences with their exquisite guitar performances inspired by jazz, fusion, flamenco and other world music.
In 2017, Jerry became the Musical Director and Audio Engineer of The Red Jacket Jamboree, an old-time radio variety show heard on public radio networks across the state of Michigan. Jerry brings his skill as a musician to the stage band, the Copper Cats, overseas the booking of musical guests. He also masters each episode for radio broadcast.
Copyright 2019