JESSE OHTAKE

Jesse Ohtake has been behind the scenes within the hip hop and R&B scene in Toronto over the past 15 years. Having moved from Kingston, Ontario to Toronto in early 2000's, Jesse has dedicated himself to fostering a thriving music and arts community in Toronto. A musical participant himself as a radio/club DJ in Kingston, he has created or contributed to some of the most innovative music programs Toronto has seen. His events company The Academy is involved in event production, talent booking, marketing, and consulting, concerts and street marketing, and a founding member of the Manifesto Festival of Community & Culture - Canada's marquee festival of hip hop culture and urban arts. Jesse has programmed music for a multitude of institutions, including NXNE, Luminato, Red Bull Music Academy and Red Bull Sound Select, Canadian Music Week, Harbourfront Centre, Mississauga Arts Council, and more. Jesse continues to keep his ear to the ground, playing an integral role in propelling Toronto's music scene - especially emerging local artists - to even greater heights.