Jesse Kelly-Brandes is a Vancouver-based comedian who got her start in comedy through improv, sketch, and acting before naturally transitioning into stand-up. Growing up in a family that valued humour as a way to navigate life, she developed a deep appreciation for the power of laughter and has built her career around making people laugh.
Her comedy style is nostalgic, unapologetically personal, and unpredictable, what she calls Forrest Gump-esque. One of her career highlights was performing her first booked gig in her hometown of Windsor, Ontario, in front of a sold-out crowd filled with family, friends, and lifelong supporters. With exciting projects on the horizon this spring, Jesse continues to bring her unique voice to the comedy scene.
How would you describe your comedy style?
Nostalgic, unapologetically personal and you never know what your gonna get. So It’s *Forrest Gump-esque*
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
Pablo Fransisco
Who is your favourite comedian now?
Ricky Gervais
What is your pre-show ritual?
Remembering that one joke I forgot to include and then trying to rewrite the entire bit thing last minute…while I’m literally walking to the stage chugging my crown & ginger hoping I don’t end up spilling it on myself.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
I’d have to say it was at a bar called Safari Sam’s. I had just moved to LA for the first time when I was 19 to go to school & start my professional acting career. I had never been so nervous in my life and actually fell up the stairs when I was called on stage… When I got to the mic and people were already laughing I just went with it and ended up getting second place. 2 of the judges were comedic actors that I really looked up to at the time and getting validation from them after the show made me feel like this was definitely what I was meant to be doing with my life.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
It’s a new bit called JKB diaries… I’ve been keeping journals since I was 9 years old and have about 59 thousand of them. Telling the best hilarious yet most likely semi-embarrassing (to say the least) true stories combined with finding unique ways to read pages from them on stage is a unique way to engage the audience and stay relatable in a weird way! I’m proud of it because it’s something different and in a world where almost everything has been done before, these stories let the audience see 100% Pure Jesse which nobody else can do. So there
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
Scrolling through YouTube & Instagram. There are some pretty phenomenal gems in there.
Tell us a joke about your city.
Walking the seawall is like watching the Hunger Games but instead of boys and girls it’s Cameltoes and Moose Knuckles.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
There’s some special projects underway this spring, so stay tuned.
Where can we follow you
In real life, for the foreseeable future. Not in a stalkerish way, though.
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
