Who Is Behind Levitation Music?

Based between Oakland and New York City, Jesse Levit is a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist who lives at the intersection of deep-rooted jazz tradition and modern exploration. Whether he’s fronting a high-energy funk set or layering textures on the EWI, Jesse’s playing is defined by a soulful, precise sound that has earned him a spot on stages across the globe.

While Jesse stays busy leading his own projects, he is equally at home as a first-call sideman for a wide range of ensembles. His ability to jump between genres and technical demands has made him a staple in the West Coast and NYC scenes, contributing saxophone, EWI, and keyboards to various groups. This versatility has led to performances alongside legends like Roy McCurdy, Jane Monheit, Jim McNeely, Diane Witherspoon, Wynton Marsalis, Tommy Igoe, Benny Green, and Wycliffe Gordon.

As a featured Drake Mouthpieces Artist, Jesse relies on the Drake NY Jazz Alto to get the resonance and grit his music demands. That dedication to tone hasn't gone unnoticed; his work has been featured and reposted by industry heavyweights like D’Addario, Questlove, Nicholas Payton, and Jason Marsalis..

While the saxophone is his primary voice, Jesse regularly incorporates the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument), sax FX pedals, and keyboards into his sessions, adding a cinematic, modern edge to live shows without losing the human element of improvisation.

When he isn't backing up other artists, Jesse co-leads  a handful of creative endeavors:

• The Levit-Behrman Collective: A heavy-hitting collaboration focused on original modern jazz compositions and collective improvisation.
• Wampa: A creative passion project that reimagines the iconic themes of the Star Wars universe through a jazz and funk lens.
• Oaklandish: A deep dive into jazz classics through the lens of funk and soul traditions of Oakland.
• The Klipptones: A premier high-end ensemble known for bringing sophisticated live music to exclusive events and soirees throughout Northern California.

With an M.M. from the Manhattan School of Music, Jesse’s career has taken him from touring Japan with the Next Generation Jazz Orchestra to performing in NYC clubs like Zinc Bar, Smalls, Smoke, Mezzrow, & Dizzy's, and holding down local residencies at SF Bay Area staples like Mr. Tipple’s, SFJAZZ, Bird & Beckett, and The Sound Room, Whether he's leading the band or locking in as a sideman, the goal remains the same: keep the music firmly rooted in tradition while ever moving forward.