Playin' Around With Playbook: Jesse Espinosa

Hey everyone! After our time at JEN and Denton High School, we made our way down to Waltrip High School. With tens of their students beyond eager to learn, Playbook spent several days reaching and teaching students to make #joyfuljazz.

Former Trumpet Player for the United States Army Band, Jesse Espinosa is the Band Director at Waltrip High School. Under his direction, the Waltrip High School band program is recognized as one of the top 5 Title I music programs in the United States. Their Jazz Ensemble 1 has also won many 1st Divisions and special awards at various Contests and Festivals. Most recently, The Waltrip RamBand Jazz Ensemble 1 won the 2019 Bob Mintzer Jazz Band Award, a national competition. The band is currently in the works to schedule a concert featuring the band and Grammy Musician, Mr. Mintzer, once the Corona Virus is over. Jesse was also a quarter-finalist for the Grammy’s Music Educator Award 2020.

This week on Playin’ Around With Playbook, I had the opportunity to talk with Jesse about these experiences.

Enjoy!

Trista.