Authentic Thoughtful Intimate
Electric Bourbon Folk - Smooth with a Smoky Finish. Songs with depth. Performances with soul. Jess Wayne brings seasoned storytelling and musical chops to every stage he steps on.
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.
Booking: Jess performs solo and is available for festivals, listening rooms, house concerts, and private events — jesswaynemusic@gmail.com.
What can you expect?
If you're a listening room: Your guests will lean in. They'll hear songs they've never heard before, and feel like the songs were written about their own lives.
If you're a restaurant or bar: Your guests will stay. They won't finish dinner and leave — they'll order another round, hear the second set, and walk out talking about what they heard, not just what they ate.
If you're a private concert host: Your guests will know you brought them a person, not a playlist — a real songwriter, playing his own songs, in your space.
And no matter who you are: Your patrons will feel something real, whether they're 16 or 86.
They heal ~Rock Era Magazine Rare authenticity ~The Big Takeover
Effortless melodies ~V13 Smoky beauty ~Noel Paul Stookey
Stuns ~No Depression Blissful ~Paste Magazine
Stunning ~The Independent Spotlight Fascinating ~Brett David Stewart
Thought Provoking ~CMuse Wisdom and Honesty ~Huffpost
Molten Hot Concoction ~Nashville Music Guide
Press Reviews
“These songs linger. They heal. They remind us to be present, to let go, to love. And they do it with grace...” - Rock Era Magazine (2025)
“Wayne sings with a rare amount of authenticity and empathy that makes it all sound within reach.” - The Big Takeover, October 1, 2025
“Mature in a good way, full of effortless, tantalizing melodies, Ancient Door is relaxed and balanced, an album of sonic symmetry.” - V13, August 2025
“Ancient Door is an impactful display of consistently quality songwriting from Jess Wayne.” - Obscure Sound, July 2025