Meet Jesse Palter | Founder (and Chief Dreamer) of Tunez 4 Totz

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesse Palter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesse, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Tunez 4 Totz was a happy-accident of a business venture that started during the pandemic in 2020. Amidst the upheaval caused by canceled tours and gigs as a recording artist signed to a label, I found myself facing a halt in my musical journey with no clear path forward. However, when a close friend proposed the idea of sharing music with her baby’s “pod,” I had no good excuse to say “no”. Living in Los Angeles, where outdoor activities were viable year-round, I embraced this Covid-safe opportunity to engage in something meaningful outside my confined space. Stepping into that first session, I experienced an immediate revelation—an “aha!” moment. The realm of children’s music felt like a wide open door, brimming with unbridled joy, endless wonder, and boundless inspiration. This newfound world sparked my songwriter instincts, igniting a fervor to craft music tailored for families. I delved into studying child development in relation to musical education, forming the bedrock for my own approach to early music exploration, discovery, and education. It was a transformative period where my creative energies converged with a passion for nurturing young minds through the language of music. Becoming a mother myself offered additional perspective. As I navigated the intricacies of new parenthood, bonding with my little one over musical exploration became an integral part of our connection. Experiencing firsthand how to captivate and communicate with my child over music deepened my appreciation for it’s transformative power in early development. This personal evolution not only shaped my approach professionally but also amplified my commitment to creating a magical, nurturing and enriching musical environment for families through Tunez 4 Totz.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’ve been a lifelong dream chaser, and nothing about my career has been particularly easy, but at the end of the day, I just love music and writing songs. The thing I can say about T4T, more than any other artistic endeavor I’ve been involved in, is there has been the least resistance, for whatever reason it’s been growing and evolving pretty darn quickly. Even so, I’ve learned invaluable lessons along the way. Patience and adaptability are crucial when navigating new territories. Embracing feedback and continuously evolving my approach have been essential. Most importantly, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact music has on early development and the immense joy it brings to families. What I want the world to know about Tunez 4 Totz is that it’s more than just music—it’s a gateway to learning, bonding, self-expression and joy. It’s a brand that stands for fostering connections, belief in the future generations and creating a foundation for lifelong love and appreciation for music in children. My story reflects the power of following one’s passion, adapting to new challenges, and persistently striving to make a positive impact on lives, without any limit to age, through the magical world of music.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d start by indulging in some coney at Lafayette and exploring downtown at Campus Martius Park. Days would include visits to the Detroit Institute of Arts, Motown Museum, Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. A visit to Eastern Market, a Riverfront walk, a picnic at Belle Isle Park, and definitely some checking out of music at Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe, Blue Llama or Cliff Bell’s, maybe even some late night Bert’s to really get that Detroit feel. A day trip to Ann Arbor would prob be on the docket too. My favorite way to check out the local scene is to get a delicious cup of coffee from a local roastery and just people watch.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A huge shoutout to my bestie, Jill Handman, whose invitation to teach that very first “pod” ignited the spark that led to this adventure in children’s music. I’m endlessly grateful to all the caregivers and institutions that have trusted me to provide their little ones with their earliest music experiences. Moreover, a special thanks to the children themselves, who have been constant sources of inspiration and learning. Last but certainly not least, immense appreciation goes to the South Arts Organization for awarding me a creative residency grant in 2023, enabling me to record music that is set to be released in 2024. Their support has been instrumental in helping me bring my musical vision to life with this porject.

Website: jessepalter.com

Instagram: instagram.com/tunez4totz

Facebook: facebook.com/tunez4totz

Youtube: youtube.com/jessepalter

Other: https://linktr.ee/tunez4totz

Image Credits
Lilac Lens Photography (Michele Palter), Alana Sitara