About Me
Rob Jacoby is a New York-based musician concentrated mostly in jazz and theater productions. Although mainly a tenor saxophonist, he also has acute abilities on clarinet, flute, and the other saxophones, as well as bassoon and bass clarinet. He leads his own group that plays private parties, clubs, and restaurants, in the New York City, Westchester County, and surrounding areas.-- Rob Jacoby grew up in White Plains, New York and graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in Elmsford. He began saxophone instruction at the age of 8 with his mentor, Milt Williams, father of actress/singer Vanessa Williams and actor/comedian Chris Williams. By age 11, Rob's interests concentrated on jazz music and began his studies in this genre elsewhere.-- Rob's career started by playing in theatrical productions in local theaters at the age of 12, honing his reading abilities and doubling skills on the saxophones, clarinets, bass clarinet, bassoon, and flute. Later, he played with the Westchester County Youth Jazz Ensemble and began to play jazz gigs in parks and other locations. Rob started his own group called the Westchester Blue Notes, a sextet, who performed throughout Westchester County and the rest of the tri-state area. After a few years, the group began to mutate and its original name became rarely billed. After many gigs with trumpeter Kenny Lee, Rob began to lead his own quartet/quintet and started performing in local clubs, restaurants, and bars. --Later, during high school, his abilities advanced and he was recognized as the most valuable musician in his high school in his freshman year there. During these years, he was chosen as first tenor saxophonist in the Westchester County School Music Association's All County Jazz Ensemble three years in a row, which was directed by saxophonist David Demsey, pianist/composer Mike Holober, and bass trombonist Tim Newman, respectively.-- At the age of 15, Rob began studying with world-renowned saxophonist Ralph Lalama, who took the young musician under his wing and became one of his mentors. During Rob's last year in high school, he was selected as the first tenor saxophonist in the New York All State Jazz Ensemble directed by Mike Holober, performing in both Rochester and Albany and gaining enormous recognition and praise for his remarkable talent.-- Rob has had the pleasure of recording for renowned jazz producer Teo Macero. The recording included legendary musicians such as Lee Konitz, Dave Liebman, Alex Sipiagin, George Garzone, and others. The album was released in the summer of 2007.-- In addition to his first sideman recording, Rob also recorded his first album as a leader in 2007. The album is entitled, "Step Up" and is released on the Garagista Music label. The quartet/quintet album features Grammy-award winning trumpeter Brian Lynch, pianist David Hazeltine, bassist John Ray, and drummer Ron Vincent.-- Rob is currently attending New York University in the Jazz Performance program and is given the opportunity to work with such luminaries as Don Friedman, Ralph Lalama, Brian Lynch, Joe Lovano, Billy Drewes, Jim McNeely, Dave Pietro, and Rich Shemaria.-- Over his short fruitful career, Rob has performed at the Blue Note a number of times, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Allen Room, the Garage, the Bowery Poetry Club, and has been seen at Smalls, Sweet Rhythm, Showman's, and the Bar Next Door. He has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with greats including Joe Lovano, Ralph Lalama, Steve Turre, Dennis Irwin, Wynton Marsalis, Chris Potter, Brian Lynch, Joe Magnarelli, Richie Vitale, and Barry Ries.
