Jesse is a second generation performer on both sides. His father – Rolf Cahn – was a guitar teacher and performer; he was a pioneer in the early Folk scene of the late 1950s and early 60s. He recorded with Folkways Records (Smithsonian), and in 1963 he opened the Cabale in Berkeley, modeled more or less after the famous Club 47 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It hosted many of the artists on the Coffee House Circuit at that time, including many of the Old Blues Greats, as well as the Old Timey, Bluegrass, and Folk luminaries of that era. Rolf went on to be a pretty formidable songwriter in his later years. He passed away in 1994 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Jesse’s mother was also involved – early on – in the Folk scene, and went on to sign with Capital Records in the late 1950s. She made some amazing recordings in that era on several labels including her own – Paredon Records (Smithsonian). Her name is Barbara Dane, and she passed away October 20, 2024. Before she passed she published her memoirs. There is also a feature film out about her: ‘The Nine Lives of Barbara Dane’. (It can be seen on the Film Festival circuit in the U.S., and in general distribution in Canada.)

She recorded CDs right up until recently and they are available on her webpage. She opened a venue – Sugar Hill – in North Beach, San Francisco in 1961, which hosted many of the Blues and Jazz greats of the early 1960s including T-Bone Walker, Victoria Spivey, Mama Yancey, Big Mama Thornton, Brownie & Sonny, Lonnie Johnson, and so on. It was an amazing era for American Music. Jesse has many memories from this time period with T-Bone Walker, Brownie McGhee, Lonnie Johnson, Jesse Fuller, Mance Lipscomb, KC Douglas, Big Mama Thornton, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and more, that he Loves to share with true Blues fans who appreciate the history and tradition of The Blues.

He started as a guitar player with his emphasis on Blues around 1962 and then – in 1965, (he was still ‘Nicky’ Cahn until 1978), on the urging of the Chambers Brothers, (who needed a drummer at the time) switched to Drums for a couple of years. He played drums on their first album, ‘People Get Ready for The Fabulous Chambers Brothers’ recorded live at the Ash Grove in L.A. and The Unicorn in Boston, and released on the Vault record label. He also did a couple of recording sessions with Al Kooper in 1966. Then back to guitar and the SF and NYC R&R scenes for the rest of the 60s. (He notably co-led the S.F. Rock band ‘Tongue & Groove’ in 1967.) Jesse settled back in Oakland in 1969, co-leading a Rock band – XTC (not the famous one), and then, around 1971 a ‘Country Rock’ band – ‘Tanglewood’, up to around 1973. Right about then he laid out for a couple of years, somewhat exhausted.

Jesse got back into Music full time around 1975 and moved to Santa Cruz in 1977. In 1978 he started ‘Jesse Chisholm & the Goodnight-Loving Band’, (Taking the stage name ‘Jesse Chisholm’), which was his focus for the next 15 years. That experience culminated in some awards – and most significantly – the release of ‘Lady Come Lately’ – a ‘Radio Hit’ which was released in 1987 and added to over 250 stations’ play lists all across the country. He was named ‘New Artist of The Week’ on several of them – extending all the way to the East Coast.

In 1993 Jesse took a pause from Music once again, until 1995, when he came back with an emphasis on Gospel, Trad Country, and Blues. He Fully committed to Blues around 1999 after moving to Oklahoma in 1997. (The Computer Hardrive company he worked for at the time – as a Senior Support Technician – paid for his move out to Oklahoma from California.)

In 1999 he met and became very close friends and associates with Dorothy ‘Miss Blues’ Ellis and went on to be her Lead Guitar player and Band Leader for the next few years. During that time they played many festivals, and club dates, and guested on live radio locally – as well as actively teaching Blues in the Schools around Oklahoma and Texas.

In 2002 they made a trip to The Delta, in Jesse’s 1994 Lincoln Town Car dubbed ‘The Blues Mobile’ (BLUZMBL). Their trip included visits to Clarksdale, Jackson, and Oxford Mississippi. They were able to play many venues and meet lots of interesting characters along the way. She was Jesse’s dear friend, and mentor right up until her passing.

Presently Jesse teaches privately – everything in the band except Piano, and Horns. Vocal coaching and Stage Craft are big favorites of his, as well as Song Writing, and anything associated with it.

He has been hosting Jesse Cahn’s Open Mic at JJ’s Alley in Bricktown for 15 years – it happens two times a week: Saturday night 6:30-9:30 downstairs, and Sunday afternoon 3:00-7:00pm upstairs. All players are welcome. His goal is to try and create as much of a true ‘performance’ vibe as possible on Saturday, and then a more laid back, kitchen, backporch feel on Sunday.

Jesse enjoys Fishing, Golf, and Archery as well as many musical adventures. He lives on a little 10 acre place out East of OKC with his wife, Jane, and their dog Bonnie.