Aaron Chavers
Hey everybody! My name is Aaron Chavers, and I’m so excited to be a part of this new project.
I started playing guitar at the age of six. I don’t remember exactly why I wanted to start (I probably heard a sick guitar solo somewhere or decided I wanted to be a rock star). My parents, bless their hearts, took me seriously and immediately got me into jazz lessons with Mr. David Comtois. I tried to quit so many times, but they wouldn’t let me, citing the hefty financial investment they had already made in me. They weren’t letting me out without a return on their investment, and I’m so glad they didn’t, because here I am 24 years later, getting to make a living playing music. I’d say it paid off!
My jazz lessons continued through high school, until I decided I was too cool for jazz and started pursuing rock. I took about a year of rock lessons, but I could never grow my hair long enough to properly headbang, so I switched to classical guitar my senior year of high school, studying under Dr. Timothy Shannon. I would go on to study with him at Roberts Wesleyan College while pursuing a degree in Guitar Performance.
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful that I learned guitar in the order that I did. Each genre, style, and technique built on the last and helped shape me into the versatile musician I am today.
College is expensive, so during my senior year of high school, I joined the 198th Army Reserve Band to help pay for it. That decision opened the door to a whole new world of musical experiences. I got to perform in all sorts of groups, travel quite a bit, and experience music in ways I never would have otherwise.
About two years into my contract, our unit got a hotshot guitar player, and I was switched over to bass. At the time, I thought it was a demotion. I mean, only four strings? Come on. It turns out, though, that bass is way harder than guitar. While I’ve continued to maintain my proficiency on guitar, bass has steadily become my primary instrument over the years.
I eventually transitioned to an active-duty Army band and have had the opportunity to bring music all around the world. I’m currently the bass instructor at the Army School of Music, where I get to help train the next generation of Army musicians.
Outside of the Army, I play in several groups around town on guitar, bass, voice, and even keys. I play bass with The Nashville Nights, the ultimate ’90s country experience; guitar and vocals for Keeping Up with the Jones’ out of Williamsburg; and I also perform as a solo guitar-and-vocal act around town.
But nothing excites me more than starting this project with Michael Jarrell, saxophonist and sound guy extraordinaire.
Jelly Sesh is my opportunity to play and write music exactly the way I want to. There’s no military pressure to recruit, no requirement to make sure the music is appreciated by four-star generals, and no need to fit into anyone else’s idea of what music should be. Jelly Sesh is by us and for us. But I hope you like it too.