64 | OCTOBER 12 • 2023 J N S inger-songwriter Jesse Palter has led no ordi- nary life. The West Bloomfield-born Jewish artist has written music since as early as middle school and, by the age of 15, she was working with the prestigious Bass Brothers record label, which is regarded worldwide for launching Eminem’s early career. In high school, she often trav- eled to Los Angeles to record music, giving her her first glimpse at the recording indus- try and the ins-and-outs of the global music world. As a jazz major at the University of Michigan, Palter was performing gigs all over Detroit. She also won several Detroit Music Awards, including Outstanding Jazz Vocalist. Still, like many artists living outside of major music hubs like New York or Los Angeles, Palter felt the ceiling for what was possible as a jazz musician in Detroit. First, she moved to Chicago in 2008. Then, in 2010, she finally made the move to Los Angeles. Palter quickly began living the dream life. She was signed to the Artistry Music record label and given a “dream cast” of studio musicians to work with. TWISTS AND TURNS Still, being signed to a record label wasn’t what Palter thought it would be. In a vastly changing music industry, she encountered a surprising amount of red tape. Then, she was shelved for sev- eral years, meaning her album Paper Trail “sat on shelves” while a marketing and PR plan was assembled by the label. “It was a couple of pretty painful years, ” says Palter, who spent the time reevaluating what she thought the dream could be, and learning how to manage her expectations. Things were tough, but Palter found herself grateful for the experience. “I learned so much through- out that process not only about the music industry, but also about myself and what I wanted going forward, ” she recalls. Then, 2020 hit and COVID- 19 upended the music and touring industry. Gigs stopped; tours came to a standstill and many artists were left without income or opportu- nities. “It became glaringly apparent to me that the next step was to return to being an indepen- dent artist, ” says Palter, who immediately went back to the drawing board. Like the rest of the country, she was stuck indoors. Palter learned how to record herself in her living room, and when an oppor- tunity presented itself through a friend to sing music to young children outdoors — who were equally isolated — Palter decided to try it. Sitting outside in a circle with young children and their mothers, Palter says a “lightbulb clicked in her head” as she sang ARTS&LIFE MUSIC Award-winning singer- songwriter Jesse Palter explores a new calling. A Fresh Start ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jesse Palter is glad to be back in Metro Detroit. Bryan Abrams, Jesse Palter and their son Jude