Jake Hess (December 24, 1927 – January 4, 2004) was an American Grammy Award-winning southern gospel singer.

"[4] When he registered with the draft board in Lincoln, Nebraska, he gave his name as "William Jesse Hess.

Hess' career started at the age of 16, when he joined the popular John Daniel Quartet in 1943,[5] making his recorded debut on "Just a Prayer Away".

In the latter part of his life, Hess sang with The Old Friends Quartet which was featured on the Bill Gaither Homecoming videos.

In 1977-1978 Hess reunited with the surviving members of The Statesmen Quartet, Hovie Lister, Doy Ott, and Rosie Rozell to record three projects, including "Songs Elvis Loved".

Upon leaving the Statesmen Quartet at the end of 1963, Hess formed his "dream" group, the Imperials.

In the late 1970s, Hess and his son Chris were featured singers on the television broadcasts of evangelist Dr. Gene Scott.

These videos featured Hess from noted concerts in the U.S. at the Kennedy Center, the Ryman Auditorium, and Hawaiian islands and Europe.

There were several dates in Missouri and Florida, but Jake determined that the traveling was going to be more demanding than he anticipated, so by 1990 the tours were put on hold with the possibility of doing something with television.

[9] Hess died January 4, 2004, in Opelika, Alabama[5] after suffering a heart attack December 14, 2003,[2] just days after a performance in Atlanta, Georgia.