Mitch Kessler grew up in New York City, where he studied saxophone and Jazz
with Billy Kerr before matriculating at the New England Conservatory of
Music in Boston, Massachusetts. There, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz
studies and a Master's Degree in Composition before pursuing a career as a
lawyer. At New England Conservatory, Mitch studied saxophone with legendary
woodwind instructor Joe Allard, composition with William Thomas McKinley,
and arranging with Jaki Byard and Roger Ryan. During that period, Mitch
performed with Jaki Byard's Apollo Stompers and the New England Conservatory
Jazz ensemble, in addition to doing small group gigs in local clubs.
A graduate of Boston College Law School, Mitch is a sole-practitioner lawyer
practicing in New York's Capital Region. After a stint as a Legal Aid
attorney in New York City, Mitch relocated to upstate New York, where came
in contact with John Esposito and other upstate musicians. Mitch's
association with John and other members of the Sunjump Records "stable"
(such as Ira Coleman and Peter O'Brien) led to the production of his debut
CD, "Erratica." Despite his busy law practice, Mitch manages to indulge his
passion for music and the great outdoors.