Welcome

Jake Fleder started his long journey in music at the age of eight, in New York City, with private guitar lessons. Each month his teacher, Jerry Otto, would bring a new book with the popular songs of the day. Weekly, his assignment would be to learn to read the melody, chords, and how to combine these musical elements. This began his early development in improvisation, a unique new ability for a budding young musician. He learned the skills necessary for the role of lead guitarist and a lifetime career as a soloist.  

 After five years, and daily practice of this regiment, there was a knock on the door for an opportunity.  It was for a slightly older teenage musician in a band called The Imperials. They asked him to play something on guitar for them. He picked up his 1950s harmony acoustic guitar and chose Ray Charles’s big hit: “What I Say”.  He got the gig offered, and was off and running. The fact that he could sing was a big plus. The Imperials  played numerous school dances, church and synagogue gigs, in New York City.   This opened up opportunities to perform and began his reputation as a talented young New York City musician...