At 24, Jesse certainly weighs in as the youngest member of Airtight. But don't mistake youth for inexperience. Jesse has been steeped in oldtime music as far back as his memory will take him.

Jesse is the son of the late Dave Danner, clawhammer banjo legend with the former Indian Creek Delta Boys oldtime stringband. Jesse was awash in oldtime music and song from day-1. As time progressed, he learned to play the guitar and enjoyed sharing tunes and songs with his father and his equally musical mother Victoria.

Tragically, Dave passed away in 2001, leaving Jesse with a legacy of oldtime music excellence that he has willingly taken up and is determined to expand. Jesse relates that when fiddler John Bishop called him up in hopes of finding a guitar player for a new band, he eagerly accepted the chance to pick up where Dave left off.

He had no choice anyway -- it's in his blood, in his environment, and he has happily siezed the opportunity to do his part to help keep it alive, and lively.

Rightly, Jesse sees this music as a family legacy and a form of living history that should be shared in public. A pretty tall order and big shoes to fill, but Jesse's talents are only beginning to unfold. He's destined to make his own mark on the music world that will honor and enhance that legacy.

Jesse plays on a guitar he built himself. He has apprenticed to be a guitar builder, restorer and repair professional. Those interested in a custom-built instrument hand crafted by Jesse Danner are encouraged to get in touch via the band contact means.

Jesse is a loving family man with wife Mary and daughter Sofia. He is also lead vocalist on a number of Airtight's vocals. His good natured character is constantly tested and proven by his forbearance of John and Steve's equally good natured ribbing as being "The Kid." Of course, we all realize and appreciate the man-sized load he bears for the band... but so much as to stop tweaking The Kid.