Jesse DeNatale is a singer-songwriter in Northern California. He was born in San Francisco. DeNatale (rhymes with "seen a trolley?") has been writing songs as long as he can remember. He has released three critically acclaimed records: Shangri-La West (2000) Soul Parade (2006) and The Wilderness (2021). His next release, The Hands of Time, will be available July 14th 2023. We are excited to announce that it will also be on Blue Arrow Records.
His music has been described as evocative and hopeful, a combination of poetry and storytelling. Over the years his love of various musical genres has inspired him to expand his ideas of songwriting as he continues to find a way to reflect back the realities of being alive. Rich with imagery, intelligence and passion, his music remains timeless. It's soulful accessibility is what has garnered him praise from other artists and has kept his devoted fans listening.
Review of Jesse DeNatale’s The Hands of Time
“There are a handful of American musicians who can be counted on to hit the bullseye everytime they step before a microphone. They all have a longview sensibility to how they approach their music, and it is built into their sound and their soul that they will never fall short of their promise. Jesse Denalte is a San Francisco homeboy and it shows. There is a sense of the city’s history hardbaked into his songs. It’s a cross between traditional greatness and an ability to take chances when those chances are called for. The man’s new album, THE HANDS OF TIME, gathers all the wonder of DeNatale’s first three albums that is given a new spin right into the cosmos of pure glee. No matter what the subject matter of songs like “Sweet Arrival,” “Where Am I” and “Late Semptember,” there is always a near-spiritual sense of mystery crossed with surety which sinks into all the songs. This is someone who doesn’t ever take for granted the power of a great song, but also isn’t afraid to take chances and swing for the areas of life that are almost uncaptureable. But capture them Jesse DeNatale does, over and over, which makes THE HANDS OF TIME able to never grow old. It’s almost like it’s a new album every time it’s listened to. Kind of like San Francisco itself: it never falls short in the surprise department. No matter how many times an avenue is walked, there will be a fresh sense of wowness hiding in plain sight. Just like this music. It’s a magic trick that never grows old. The world turns. - Bill Bentley ”
- Bill Bentley for Americana Highways. January 2024
“Now it seems that all the best ones have been driven underground. If there’s a leak in the boiler room it’s the music of Jesse DeNatale , a unique and original American voice.”
- Tom Waits
"I have seen Jesse DeNatale play many times and he creates his own atmosphere as a performer. One of my favorite things about him is his piano playing. We once did a tour together during which his beautiful singing voice & his stories attracted followers wherever we went."
- Jonathan Richman
"...Jesse DeNatale's songs are not only well worth hearing, they're well worth hearing again and again." -Ben Fong-Torres, Former Rolling Stone Senior Editor
"A dynamic tune-fountain…and one of the most distinctive singers and creative lyricists of his generation and the generations that flank him.” - Billy Collins, US Poet Laureate 2001-2003
"A beautiful folk-rock poet, you may not know him but you must>-Gary Topp, Renowned Canadian Music Promoter
“The bard of Tomales Bay” - Ramblin’ Jack Elliott