Jesse Kinch beats cancer, resumes music

Seaford native Jesse Kinch is quite familiar with beating the odds — he did it by becoming a successful rock musician and he has conquered an even greater challenge by overcoming a brain tumor.

Kinch, who learned to play the acoustic guitar as a boy and expanded his musical talents to bass, drums, keyboards, and singing as well, has played in various clubs all over the city and Long Island, before he was picked up by a casting director for the television show, “Rising Star.”

“They found my cover of the song, ‘I Put A Spell on You,’” Kinch said. “And they wanted me to audition for the show with that song.”

Kinch ended up winning “Rising Star” in what would be the show’s only run. His career took off from there, touring all over the country and writing an album called “I’m Not Like Everybody Else,” which, according to Kinch, cracked the top 10 charts in the United Kingdom.

Then, in January of 2021, tragedy struck when Kinch suddenly collapsed in his living room and was brought to a local emergency room. He underwent an MRI scan, which revealed a definitive left-sided brain tumor.

A month later, he underwent surgery and doctors were able to remove 90 percent of the tumor.  A year of radiation and chemotherapy treatments followed, ending in March 2022.

However, after the surgery, Kinch said he lost the use of his right hand.

“What makes me unique as a guitar player is what I do with my right hand,” he said. “Most players are more adept in their left hands, but my right hand is what drives my playing.”

After more rounds of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, he underwent intensive neural therapy to regain function in his right hand.

As he recovered, Kinch slowly got back into music. His energy slowly returned as he came off of chemotherapy, and he got his band back together.

During his time on “Rising Star,” Kinch befriended Josh Groban, who was the host of the show.

Following his recovery, Kinch got in touch with Groban, who had sent him a Gibson Les Paul guitar as a 28th birthday gift. Groban offered Kinch the chance to make his first return to music opening for him at Jones Beach in July. Kinch took him up on this offer, and performed an original song called, “How Do I Reach You (The Last Veil)” with Groban’s band. He also shared his emotional story of survival with the audience.

Born in Bethpage in 1994, Kinch moved to Seaford at the age of 10, and even though he continued to attend Island Trees schools, Kinch grew up living in Seaford.

“Living here since I was 10, I can definitely say I just had a really simple, beautiful, and great childhood,” Kinch said.

Kinch said that he discovered an old acoustic guitar in his basement when his family lived in Bethpage, and immediately gravitated towards it, being able to play by ear at only six years old. His father, Rick, immediately recognized his son’s talent and bought him CDs of classic rock artists. Classic rock musicians served as Kinch’s primary inspiration, although he also listened to opera singers Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman to enhance his singing.

“When I’m singing a hard rock song, you’re hearing my classic rock influences,” Kinch said. “When I’m singing a softer song, you’re hearing my influences from Bocelli and Brightman.”

He showcased his musical skills at numerous talent shows at the schools in Bethpage, but his parents refused to let the schools be his only stage.

“My parents made calls to clubs in New York City,” Kinch said. “They had me singing and playing with professionals when I was still in school.”

One of those professional musicians was legendary bassist Randy Coven.

According to Kinch, there are too many people to thank for his recovery from a brain tumor, singling out his parents, Rick and Adrienne, and his brother, Rick Jr., as well as his entire health team at NYU Langone.

“It’s important when you have a diagnosis like this, to have amazing family and friends who support and love you,” Kinch said. “But I also want to thank the thousands of fans from all over the world who wrote loving messages. It always lifted my spirits.”

This is a new beginning for Kinch, and he said he hopes to take his career even further, hoping to headline a show at Jones Beach.

“To anyone that’s facing a challenge or is facing a diagnosis like this, if you have positivity, you can overcome anything,” he said. “I truly believe that, and I think that is advice everyone should take.”