Jess Stacy was born Jesse Alexandria Stacy in Bird’s Point, Missouri, on August 11, 1904. Stacy moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri in 1918. In 1920, Stacy played in Peg Meyer’s jazz ensemble at Cape Central High School, the Bluebird Confectionary on Broadway and Fountain, and the Sweet Shop on Main Street. By 1921, the ensemble was known as "Peg Meyer’s Melody Kings" and toured the Mississippi River on riverboats. During his time in Cape Girardeau, Stacy received his only formal training in music, studying under Professor Clyde Brandt of Southeast Missouri State Teachers College. In the 1920s, Stacy moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he made a name for himself with Paul Mares, and later joined Floyd Towne’s Orchestra. Stacy’s big break came in 1935 when Benny Goodman asked Stacy to join his band. Stacy moved to New York City, New York, and played with the Benny Goodman Band from 1935-1938. In this era, he also played with Bob Crosby, Gene Krupa, and Horace Heidt. Stacy’s most famous solo was "Sing, Sing, Sing" at Carnegie Hall in 1938 . Following a Goodman/Krupa duet, Stacy received a nod from Goodman to take a solo, and he created a memorable, masterpiece. After several later band changes, Stacy moved to Los Angeles, California. The popularity of jazz/swing music was in decline and Stacy found himself working primarily in small jazz clubs. He eventually retired from public performance, he did however come out of retirement in 1974 and produced an album “Stacy Still Swings” in 1977. Stacy continued to do compilation albums and special performances until his death in 1995.