At Jamboxx we believe everyone has the capacity to make music and strive to build music instruments usable by anyone regardless of ability. For example, our hands-free MIDI wind controller can produce wonderful tuba sounds even though the musician has neither the physical strength, dexterity or breath capacity to play a real tuba.
And while primarily designed for those with disabilities, we see great adoption from professional artists, disabled or not, seeking new sounds and new ways to express themselves musically.
In 2017, Jamboxx received a National Institute of Health Phase II STTR grant to fund a clinical trial using Jamboxx technology for respiratory therapy at Albany Medical Center in New York. Accordingly we are now headquartered at the Biomedical Acceleration and Commercialization Center (BACC) at Albany Medical College.
Our Team
Dave Whalen
Dave Whalen, co-founder and board member.
Paralyzed from a skiing accident at age 18, David Whalen has overcome numerous adversities and earned a law degree. He’s a practicing attorney with the NYS criminal and civil justice system.
In addition to making music with the Jamboxx, Dave has also used the Jamboxx for breath-controlled painting and to control a commercial robot mounted to his old wheelchair. Dave also uses innovative hands-free technology to race sailboats.
Presently he is working on developing a wheelchair backrest and technology for hand grasping. Dave is also a collaborator for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s International Symposium for Music Technology and Art (see below for videos of various projects).
Dave has developed friendships and shared musical aspirations with fellow quadriplegics and people with all types of disabilities from different parts of the world. He works as an attorney and on other projects including a non-profit music project. Feel free to shoot him an email.
Adaptive Links for Quadriplegics:
Dwight Cheu
Dwight Cheu, Jamboxx CEO, has held product development and senior management positions in Silicon Valley and the Capital Region’s Tech Valley including Oracle, MapInfo, Vicarious Visions, Getty Images and CommerceHub. He’s run $5M start-ups and held senior positions at $1B giants. While Dwight uses a highly energetic, can-do, execution-oriented approach, he bases his action plan on a sound market and business strategy.
During his free time Dwight enjoys singing in his church choir, running the church sound system and working on home repair projects for low-income housing. During the summer you’ll find him on the tennis courts and in the winter ice climbing in the Adirondacks.
His claim to fame is going to lunch with Larry Ellison in Larry’s red Ferrari Testarossa.
Mike DiCesare
As soon as Mike, co-founder and President, began working on the Jamboxx it became his life’s passion. Always a musician, he jumped at the opportunity to combine his love for music with the opportunity to start a new company. Working tirelessly with Dave Whalen on all aspects of the Jamboxx since the idea was born, Mike is completely committed to bringing the ability to play music to everyone regardless of ability.
Mike has been instrumental in significant advances for the company including numerous granted US and overseas patents and the creation of new Jamboxx optical sensor technology. He is the Principal Investigator for our National Institute of Health Phase II STTR Grant that is funding a clinical trial using Jamboxx technology for respiratory therapy at Albany Medical Center.
In his spare time, Mike enjoys live music, rooting for the NY Giants and spending time with his friends and family.