Jessie Hill

Jessie Hillel, also known professionally as Jessie Hill

She is known for her runner-up placement in series 2 of New Zealand's Got Talent and her win at the first Fed Live music competition held by Melbourne's Federation Square in association with MTV Australia, Mushroom Records, Melbourne Music Week and Ditto Music to promote upcoming artists in Melbourne.

Early years As a child, Hillel performed in local shows and contests. She appeared on New Zealand TV2's What Now performing Time to Say Goodbye and on TV1's Find A Star performing "O Mio Babbino Caro". She is featured on the album Kids Sing Bob Dylan, covering popular Bob Dylan songs such as "Mr. Tambourine Man".

Career

New Zealand's Got Talent Hillel auditioned for New Zealand's Got Talent series 2 at the age of 10. Her rendition of "Pie Jesu" earned the praise from judges, with Rachel Hunter commenting "You are absolutely stunning." Hillel performed Schubert's version of "Ave Maria" in the finals and ultimately placed second through public vote. "You are mesmerizing, you are enchanting, what you do is enduring" said Jason Kerrison of Hillel's performance in the finals.

Following her success on the show, she performed in shows both in New Zealand and overseas. In 2012, Hillel was invited to Beijing to appear on International Children's Music Festival and her performance of Memory was broadcast by CCTV-1 on New Year's Eve.

In 2013, Hillel was a guest artist at TEDxChristchurch where she performed "Non So Piu" and "Serenade".

Recording Hillel's solo debut album With Love was released on April 26, 2014, through Sony Music New Zealand. The album is a collection of classical and opera songs. and at #16 on the NZ Top 40 album chart. The song "Pie Jesu" off the album peaked at #15 on the NZ Top 20 Singles chart.

She moved to Melbourne, Australia to continue her music aspirations and to take up a scholarship to study music at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. She along with her college mates formed the soul-funk band Jakal, which in 2019 won the Battle of the Bands at the St. Kilda Music Festival.

She was a principal vocalist of Victorian State School Spectacular in 2016 and 2017.

In 2020, she was won the first Fed Live music competition for her song "The Rain". The song contains a mix of classical, hip hop rhythms, and orchestral elements.

JHM, working with multi-instrumentalist and producer Fractures, released the song "Fever Dream" in 2023.

Discography Albums + List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications Title Peak chart positions Album details NZ 20 NZ 40With Love 3 16 Released: 26 April 2013 Label: Sony Music Formats: CD, Digital download

Singles Year Title Details 2025Folded Single, Released: 10 October 2025 Jessie Hill, DJ Noiz Label: Acts Music Group/ FutureNow Music NZ Top 20 Hot Singles Chart #72025Motions Single, Released: 30 May 2025 Jessie Hill, Jalmar Jessie Hill, Jalmar JHM, Fractures Lead vocalist, composer, Jakal 2013With Love EP, Released: 26 April 2013 Label: Sony Music New Zealand Peak Chart Positions: NZ Top 40 World Albums Chart #16 NZ Top 20 NZ Albums Chart #3 NZ Top 20 NZ Singles Chart #15 ("Pie Jesu")2011Starbugs - Kids Sing Bob Dylan EP, Released 10, September 2011 Label: Universal Children's Audio Vocalist