Jesse van Ruller (born January 21, 1972, in Amsterdam) is one of Europe’s leading jazz guitarists. He started guitar lessons at the age of seven. Later, he studied with Dutch master Wim Overgaauw at the Hilversum Conservatory. Van Ruller graduated summa cum laude in 1995.
That same year, he made history. He became the first European to win the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Guitar Competition in Washington, D.C. This milestone placed him firmly on the global jazz map.
As a bandleader, Jesse van Ruller has released several acclaimed albums. His debut European Quintet appeared in 1996. Two years later, he recorded Herbs, Fruits, Balms and Spices. He continued with Here and There (2002), Circles (2002), and Views (2005).
In 2000, he released Catch!, which featured trumpeter Roy Hargrove. The album earned a nomination for the Edison Award, often called the Dutch equivalent of the Grammy.