Music isn't a hobby for Jalesa Jessie - known on-stage as Chief Cleopatra - it's her heart and soul.
Cleo grew up listening to rock music, singing in choir, playing piano, and marching in school drumline in her hometown of Corsicana. Everything she's done to this point has informed and honed her smooth, unique style: soul rock.
Her lifelong love of sound has brought her to SXSW as an official artist five times, to the ACL Music Festival stage in 2024, and LEVITATION Austin in 2023. Austinites celebrate her annually on May 2, coined "Chief Cleopatra Day" by the city of Austin in 2024.
Her newest single, "Cold Dancer," earned her GRAMMY considerations for Best New Artist, Record Of The Year, and more. A member of the Recording Academy, Cleo has previously been honored as KUTX's Artist of The Month and nominated for Best New Artist at the Austin Music Awards.
Cleo has proudly performed alongside Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas, In the Valley Below, The Bright Light Social Hour, Durand Jones, Danielle Ponder, Abraham Alexander, Jackie Venson, Seratones, and Lukas Nelson, plus many other notable acts.