Jess Yoakum

Singer-songwriter Jess Yoakum is a Minneapolis-based artist whose work blends intimate songwriting with a deeply rooted background in music education and community-based performance.

Originally from Memphis, TN, Jess has spent the past 15+ years immersed in music—both on stage and in classrooms—leading interactive music experiences for children, families, and communities throughout the Twin Cities. Her work as an educator and performer has shaped a style that is warm, present, and quietly powerful.

Performing on acoustic guitar and piano, Jess creates an atmosphere that draws listeners in—where the music feels both personal and shared. Her sound has been described as a blend of soulful lullaby and understated indie rock, with echoes of Patty Griffin and The Sundays.

After years of developing her voice through both lived experience and teaching, Jess is returning to the stage with a renewed sense of clarity and depth. Her recent performances in intimate listening rooms and house concert settings reflect a full-circle return to the spaces where her music resonates most.

Her current work explores themes of transformation, resilience, motherhood, and starting again—offering songs that feel honest, grounded, and emotionally resonant.

“Yoakum is an almost-transparent presence in her music; the results are a genuine recording that is an absolute treat.” — C.D. Di Guardia, Northeast Performer
“An artist who can move you without shaking you out of your seat.” — Daniel Lavagna, Northeast In-Tune Magazine