Singer-Songwriter Jess Meider on Music, Jazz and Life in Beijing

Jess Meider has been performing in Beijing since 1997. Her dreamy, lyrical vocals have captured the hearts of many as she has performed her way around the Beijing hutongs and across music festivals all over China. With five stellar albums, Meider tells us about her music career as a jazz vocalist and singer-songwriter.

When did you start singing and playing your guitar? Do you play any other instruments?
I’ve been singing my whole life, playing piano since I was 3-years-old, and writing songs since I was in sixth grade. The guitar came later when I studied at Berklee College of Music. I would write my songs on the piano so when I’d go to other songwriter’s houses and they’d pick up a guitar and pluck out their latest song, I wasn’t able to play mine [like that]. I bought a Takamine Santa Fe in NYC and started practicing. What a helpful thing it was! I could only play basic chords, which forced me to make much more interesting melodies.

Can you recall a specific moment or experience that pushed you to pursue music?
I recall watching a T.V. show hosted by Barbara Mandrell. She was singing in a spotlight with her blue eyes sparkling and I just fell in love with that idea. I knew that I was going to do that.

Can you tell us about each of your albums?
Each of my albums represents who I have been. Photographs of a time in my life; each song is a snapshot of my own journey. Before I moved to Beijing, I had a three-song demo (that I sold as a cassette). My first album called Candy was recorded in a studio in Philadelphia with amazing musicians in 1998. This was before I permanently (unbeknownst to me at the time) relocated to Beijing. Hundreds of CDs still sit in my storage room.

A friend asked me, “If you died tomorrow, what you have regretted not doing?” That pushed me into recording myself in my friend’s closet. It was an amazing experience. I had so many songs that I had written and not documented from 1997… and that is how Jess Meider, Songwriter came about in 2008 as I had not recorded in so long. I knew I could do more, so when I had enough material for a second songwriter album, Divine arrived. After writing Songwriter, it made me realize how easy it was to record, so I made a live jazz album, Dao, it was a one-day live recording. Moreno Donadel (who is still in Beijing) was on piano, Zac Courtney was on drums and EJ Parker was on bass. What a treat. It was a good snapshot of where I was at vocally with my jazz practice. After so many years, I am mostly happy with it and can hear how I have changed as a jazz vocalist over the years. [My last album] Chinatown is a result of my husband and me making electronica music. I really enjoyed this project. 

How do you usually begin the process of writing a new song? 
I listen to a lot of music, cultivate mindful habits in my life, and make sure I have space for creativity in my day; otherwise, the playfulness is gone and the creative vibes diminish significantly. I pick up my guitar and just play, every day, for a set amount of time. I must consciously persist with this playful intention or there is usually nothing to connect with because of logistics and/or tiredness. Usually, the melody comes from a chord progression I am playing. I toy around with melody; the rhythms of the words counterpointing, making statements. Sometimes a song will just come out of me, like an unexpected star. “How About A Movie” from Songwriter is a prime example of this. Had my friend not recorded me just mucking around, that song would have been lost. It’s a good one! Generally speaking, writing a song is a practice of pushing and pulling ideas around until they are well crafted.

What is the most difficult thing about writing songs?
I’ve never thought about this. Third verses and bridges are always the most challenging. There has to be some carving and crafting for a song to really take its shape. My songwriting mentor from Berklee College of Music, Pat Pattison, is such a wonderful guide. He had so many exercises to strengthen lyrical ability and compatibility. I creatively write every day in metaphoric language to keep the lyricist in me fresh. Sometimes the best thing we can do is cut the words in half. Then we can see what is actually poignant, what is fodder, and what is unnecessary.

Do you have any new projects on the horizon?
Yes. I have a jazz recording coming up - some duo and trio jazz material is imminent. Original material will come again soon. It’s been eight years since I recorded Chinatown. The past albums were all lessons for me so when the next album comes, I will have a much better process in place. I want to be more detailed and creative, and really take my time.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your music career?
I have two daughters, who I like to focus my creative energy on. Just by natural law, there is only so much energy you can use in a day. When they were much younger, it was much more intense. Now that they are older, I can feel there is more space and time to practice my songwriting skills again. Now, I just have to get back into the practice.

How do you find the balance between being a mother and being a musician?
Walk the walk, talk the talk, and do what is intuitively right. After the birth of my second daughter, I was very challenged. I reprioritized so that I could take care of my family and myself. Thank goodness I had jazz. Performing jazz was easy for me to enjoy. I paused the songwriter side of myself. Now that my girls are more self-sufficient, I am finding more time to pick up my guitar.

What is it like being an expat and performing in China? 
It’s been a real treat to have been so welcomed to perform in China. It has a hue of fame and importance. When I first arrived, I was eager to get on stage. I needed to practice performing and China was full of opportunities. I feel like I had the opportunity to grow and learn from each show. This has definitely given me the experience to feel confident on stage. Beijing in particular has been a lovely stage for me to cultivate my performance skills. In NYC, you had to hustle to get a show two months in advance for an unwanted Monday night slot. Beijing was wide open for artists of all kinds.

Can you tell us about a time you received constructive criticism or a compliment that struck you?
I used to be my greatest critic. Post-show, I’d be so focused on what I’d done wrong. In retrospect, I can see that it was to learn and improve my game and learn from my mistakes. Criticism is a great tool to learn. One time, at a jazz show, I had another jazz player comment that he had been trying to figure out who I sounded like. He could hear influences from famous jazz vocalists, but after a whole set, he realized that I sounded like me. I’d say that was one of the nicest things I’d ever heard someone say about my jazz vocals.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Andrew Bird, Jacob Collier, Billie Marten. They all embody music and I want to share with them.

Is there a particular environment that helps you get into a creative mindset?
I’m a firm believer in the now, so if I can get the space to feel open, clear, neat, and comfortable…then this is a creative haven. Nature does it too; forests, mountains & rivers, lakes, seasides…

What’s been the most memorable performance of your career and why?
This is difficult for me to choose, as I have had many magical performances through these 25 years here. I once did a Blue Note show right before Covid in 2019. The band and I were in such good tune with each other. The audience was listening and gorgeous. I’ve played in a cave in Sichuan, New Year's Eve in Sanya on the beach, and at many music festivals including Midi’s first music festival. Then there are the Songwriter performances in small idyllic Beijing hutong bars or rooftops.

Do you have a favorite song that you have written?
I love “100’s of Years Ago,” “Even As I Hold You. Grace,” “Cozy,” “Namaste,” “Now is the Time,” “The Moon Song,” I have so many favorites.

Who were your earliest musical influences?
My Mom’s lullabies. Billy Joel, 70’s American radio, Hubert Laws, Barry Manilow, and Willie Nelson

How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
I’ve had so many iterations of myself, acoustic songwriter, drum n bass, rock and roll, electronica and jazz. I’d say they all had some greatness to what and when they were. The common thing throughout them all is my voice. There is something about my voice that is soothing, strong, mellow, and positive. The jazz that I sing has an enthusiasm for the lyrical story that makes it fun and easy to listen to. 

How has your hometown influenced your music? How has living in Beijing shaped your sound?
I grew up in the US, but honestly, New York City was my last "home." Beijing has been a lovely stage for me to cultivate my performance skills - I started back in 1997 at The Keep in Touch, Jam House, CD Cafe, and have played many stages such as YuGongYiShan, Mao Livehouse, DDC, Jianghu, East Shore, Tango by Alahouse and Blue Note since.  Beijing has really given me so much in regards to performing, which is an art-form to be practiced. 

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians looking to break into the music scene?
Go for it. Just book a show and get it happening or just play for friends and family. I remember during Covid, clubs were closed, so Doug Martin and I just played in people’s living rooms to satiate our need to share the jazz. There is always an opportunity to present your music! 

If you could paint a picture of where you see yourself in ten years, what would it look like?
Ten years from now, I imagine a homestead with land, healthily lived in with my family and close friends. I want to create a center place where the inner artist can come to play. WIth recordings of all of my musical endeavors, as well as a long-standing podcast (I’m about to start) on the thought sof my day in regards to all life things.

Jess not only performs on stage, but she is also a well-known songwriting and vocal coach. A woman of many talents, she's also been teaching yoga at The Yoga Yard since 2006 and owns The Green Room Skincare, an all natural line of serums and elixirs. You can find out more via this link and can find out more about Meider's music here. 

If you’re interested in seeing  Meider perform live, she’ll be playing at Tango by Alahouse on Friday, Oct 25 with Doug Martin on guitar, ET on bass and Nico Mege on drums and at Blue Note on Friday, Nov 8 with Doug Martin on guitar, Pierre Pradat on keyboard, and Scott Silverman on drums. You can see more details below.

Jess Meider & Friends will be happening at Tango by Alahouse on Friday, Oct 25 from 9.30pm until 11.30pm. You can reserve seats and read more about the performance via this link.

For Meider’s performance at Blue Note you can follow their official WeChat account (ID BlueNoteBeijing) to keep up to date on news of her performance.

Tango by Alahouse
2/F, 18 Liangmahe Nanlu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区亮马河南路18号2层
Phone: 010 8532 2418

Blue Note Beijing
23 Qianmen Dongjie, Xicheng District
西城区前门东街23号
Phone: 139 1090 2913

READ: Two More American Jazz Legends Headed to Beijing

Images: courtesy of Jess Meider