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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF THE LEGENDARY HOUSE MUSIC DJ JESSE SAUNDERS
WHEREAS, Jesse Saunders was born on March 10, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Jesse Saunders took an early liking to music and started to play the piano at 5 years old. He excelled academically with a musical gift and talent for making people dance. He was selected to perform and tour in the Chicago Children’s Choir at 10 years old; and
WHEREAS, while attending Kenwood High School, Jesse Saunders would be mentored in the art of DJing by his older stepbrother, DJ Wayne Williams. In 1977, he would become a founding member of the Chosen Few DJs and began spinning at high school dances and house parties; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Kenwood High School, Jesse Saunders enrolled at the University of Southern California studying Communications and Film. After his first year in college, Jesse Saunders returned back to Chicago to become a full-time house music DJ; and
WHEREAS, upon his return to Chicago, Jesse Saunders began his career DJing at Chicago nightclubs such as The Playground and DaVinci Manor. He would become part of two records which debuted house music on vinyl rccords. In 1983, he wrote and recorded the single “Fantasy” for Mitchell Records. Later that year, Jesse Saunders founded Jes Say Records, the world’s 1st house music record label and released the single “On and On,” in 1984; and
WHEREAS, Jesse Saunders, place in house music history, was further solidified by writing and producing one of the most covered and biggest-selling house records, “Love Can’t Turn Around”, which topped the charts in more than 20 countries; and
WHEREAS, in 1986, Jesse Saunders signed the first major label recording contract for a house music DJ with Geffen/Warren Bros. Records. During this 10 year tenure, he produced and remixed such records as De La Soul’s “Me, Myself and I”; Paula Abdul’s “Vibeology”, and Simple Pleasure’s chart-topping “Where Do We Go From Here.” Jesse Saunders went on to work for a variety of labels including JIVE Records where he worked with top selling artists such as Mr. Lee and DJ Pierre; and
WHEREAS, Jesse Saunders capitalized on his success as a house music DJ and business owner to form the Just Say family of companies that specialized in productions in music, television, film, and even print. He has worked beside and influenced other DJs including Grammy Award winner Roger Sanchez, Marshall Jefferson, DJ Pierre, Farley “Jackmaster Funk” Williams, Steve “Silk” Hurley, and Frankie Knuckles; and
WHEREAS, Jesse Saunders continues to promote music through the Music & Arts Society, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and education of house and electronic dance music. He has also spoken at conferences, colleges, and universities around the world spreading his musical expertise such as the Red Bull Academy, Amsterdam Dance Event, and Winter Music Conference; and
WHEREAS, Jesse Saunders contributions to house and electronic dance music have been recognized by proclamations from the Mayors of Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and Albuquerque; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents, does hereby congratulate Jesse Saunders on a successful career as one of the originators of the house music industry and his many contributions bettering the lives of the citizens of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to Jesse Saunders and his family in recognition of this honor.
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