Meet Jayson Zessin

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jayson Zessin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jayson, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
For me, pursuing a creative career marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. I’ve worked in the automotive industry since 2005, but music has always been a passion—something I dabbled in during my youth. It wasn’t until 2020, during a time of personal transition, that I finally found the clarity and drive to pursue it seriously. The challenges of the pandemic forced me to reassess what truly mattered to me. I had always dreamed of being on stage, entertaining a crowd, but lacked the confidence to be front and center. That period of change gave me the courage to step out of the background and chase the artistic path I had always wanted.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey into music really began in 2020, right as the world shut down. At the same time, my marriage ended, and I suddenly found myself starting over at 35. Music had always been something I loved—I took guitar lessons as a kid and played drums in my 20s—but life happened, and I never followed through.

In 2018, I discovered an online platform where you could record songs with people from around the world. It gave me the chance to sing without having to be in front of anyone, which helped build my confidence. I’d always loved singing, but I was too self-conscious to do it in public.

After everything changed, I decided to stop hiding and finally pursue something I’d always wanted: being in a band. I had no idea how I was going to pull it off. I’m introverted, hated crowds, and couldn’t even do karaoke without panicking. Then one day, while singing in the car with my fiancée, she just stared at me and said, “Where has that voice been?” That moment sparked everything. I told her I wanted to give music a real shot, and she’s been my biggest supporter ever since.

Eventually, I joined a rock cover band. Through some lineup changes, I ended up managing the whole thing—booking, promotions, social media, the works. Running a band was never part of the plan, but here we are. My experience with Vintage 37 has opened the door to even more opportunities. Now, I’m also fronting my guitarist’s original project and have written lyrics for two songs that are in the works for my own catalog. Once those are released, it will officially mark my debut as an original artist, and I couldn’t be more excited.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that it’s never too late to chase what you love. Even if you have to rebuild your life from the ground up, if you’re willing to put in the work, it’s absolutely possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting, we’d make it a week to remember. First up — breweries. We’d hit Charlotte staples like Wooden Robot, Sycamore, Monday Night Brewing and Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, head south to Slow Play, and Rock Hill Brewing Company, and make a trip north to Denver, NC for a hang at Royal Bliss Brewing — one of my favorite spots for great beer and a laid-back vibe.

As the sun goes down, we’d shift to speakeasies. Hidden gems like The Cellar at Duckworth’s, Backstage Lounge, Syn, and dot dot dot offer top-tier cocktails in cool, intimate settings.

Live music would be front and center too. For up-close shows and great atmosphere, we’d hit Goldie’s, Jack’s Live, The Brickyard, and The Evening Muse. On nights we’re ready to turn things up, spots like Amos’ Southend and the legendary Milestone Club deliver that raw, high-energy experience.

Between the breweries, speakeasies, live music, great eats, and a little time outdoors to balance it all out, that’s my idea of showing someone the best this area has to offer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support and influence of my parents. They instilled in me a strong work ethic and the mindset that I could succeed at anything I put my heart into. I also owe so much to my amazing fiancée. Her unwavering support, belief in my talent, and constant encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue music seriously. She’s been in my corner from the start, helping me believe that I could step on stage and truly connect with an audience.

Website: https://vintage37band.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaysonzessinmusic?igsh=aThnYnB4aDQ0MHdk&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19kur2mZxR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
Brian Bunn
Victoria Byers