Jess Wayne

Jess Wayne writes music for people who've lived a little — and aren't afraid to feel a lot. He calls it Electric Bourbon Folk: smooth with a smoky finish. A rich blend of Americana, folk, blues, country, jazz, and adult contemporary that goes down easy but lingers deep.

Based in Taos, New Mexico, Jess didn't follow the traditional path — he shattered it. He's been a modern dancer in New York, an actor, a corporate reorganization lawyer in Denver, a law professor in Houston, and a guitar player in LA clubs that don't exist anymore. Every mile of it ended up in the songs.

His 2025 album Ancient Door earned eight favorable reviews from the indie press, and its track "Supposed To Be Flying" won a Top Songwriter award from the Colorado Music Business Organization. Jess plays around 80 shows a year — including a weekly residency at the Sagebrush Inn in Taos — and he's looking for listening audiences: festivals, listening rooms, and house concerts, with his sights set on Denver, Austin, and California.

Jess doesn't perform for flash. He performs for truth, connection, and the joy of making music that matters.