- Christian Jacob
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For the Minister of Civil Service of France, see Christian Jacob (French politician).
Christian Jacob is a lyrical jazz pianist who ranks among the top piano improvisers and accompanists working today. He has gained widespread exposure as musical director and performer with vocalist Tierney Sutton, although he has also maintained a substantial career as a solo artist and leader.
Contents
Early years
Jacob was born in Lorraine, France on May 8, 1958. A pianist by age 4, he was immersed in study of the French classics. Something of a prodigy, Christian had perfect pitch and natural talent. He did not discover jazz until age 10, but when he did, its improvised nature appealed to him immediately. Early influences were Dave Brubeck and Oscar Peterson. As a teen, Jacob studied under Pierre Sancan at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique in Paris.[1] Later, he would teach piano at the Conservatoire National de Region in Metz.
In the early 80s, Jacob entered Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and won many awards as a student, including the Joe Zawinul Jazz Masters Award, Oscar Peterson Jazz Masters Award, and Downbeat Magazine "Top Collegiate Jazz Soloist" before graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1985. Jacob then took a teaching position at Berklee.
During his years in Boston, he formed "Bostonian Friends," an important musical partnership with Swiss saxophonist Fritz Renold, which produced jazz recordings ("Starlight" 1996) and classical commissions ("The 6 Cycles" with the Thai Symphony Orchestra 1999, and "Helvetic Suite" 1998). Although having renounced the classical performing circuit for jazz, Jacob has however maintained ties with the classical world through projects such as these commissioned works. Renold introduced Jacob to the Swiss Youth Jazz Orchestra, for which he was an arranger and educator throughout the 90s. From 1992-1994 Jacob also served as Director in Residence of the "Orchestre Regional Jazz de Lorraine" in Nancy, Meurthe-et-Moselle, and composed their inaugural commission.
Professional years
Jacob left Boston to tour with vibist Gary Burton in the late 80s and then with Maynard Ferguson through 1992. Christian served as performer, writer, and arranger with Ferguson's band. This led to Ferguson producing Jacob's first piano trio record, featuring John Patitucci and Peter Erskine.[2] Sidemen for his follow-up trio project "Time Lines" were Steve Swallow and Adam Nussbaum.[3] Jacob developed material with a third trio featuring Miroslav Vitouš and Bill Stewart.
Jacob has extensive credits as a sideman, including Flora Purim, Terje Gewelt, Carl Saunders, Tom Garling, and others, but his most visible association has been as music director and pianist for Telarc recording artist Tierney Sutton.[4] As well as performing and recording with Sutton,[5] Jacob with bassist Trey Henry and drummer Ray Brinker perform as the Christian Jacob Trio, and recorded a live album on tour in Japan in 2007.[6]
References
- ^ Kawabata, Tai (5 October 2007). "Jacob tinkles the next-generation ivories". Japan Times. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fq20071005a3.html. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
- ^ Yanow, Scott. "Maynard Ferguson Presents Jacob Christian: Review". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/maynard-ferguson-presents-jacob-christian-r248356. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ^ Yanow, Scott. "Time Lines: Review". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/time-lines-r387698. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ^ Dryden, Ken. "Styne & Mine: Review". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/styne-mine-r810438/review. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
- ^ Fordham, John (9 April 2004). "Tierney Sutton, Dancing in the Dark". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2004/apr/09/jazz.shopping1. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
- ^ Bowyers, Jack (17 April 2009). "The Christian Jacob Trio: Live in Japan (2009)". All About Jazz. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=32573. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
External links
Categories:- 1958 births
- French jazz pianists
- Living people
- People from Lorraine
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