Jacob Stickney was born in 1986 in Seattle to a musical family. From an early age, he always had a keen interest in musical exploration, toying with instruments such as the piano and guitar. At age 14, he began formally studying the alto saxophone. He played in one of the junior high school classical ensembles for a few months before attending Ballard High school. As a freshman, his exposure to jazz began to unfold, soon sparking a deep interest in the music. However, there were already a number of higher level alto saxophonists in the jazz ensemble, so his band director suggested he switch to the tenor saxophone. One jazz band became two, giving the beginner and intermediate students a chance to develop their skills.
As his high school years went on, the tenor saxophone gradually took the place of the alto, though both were still used in different contexts in the school ensembles. He attended a number of jazz performance camps, both locally and out of state to absorb a wider net of perspectives and sounds. By the time he was about to graduate from high school, his then-saxophone teacher, Gary Hammon, encouraged him to study composition instead of exclusively focusing on the tried-and-true jazz standard repertoire.
Upon graduating from high school, he attended North Seattle Community College for two years, focusing primarily on academic studies. He then transfered to Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, developing his skills as a composer while honing his abilities as a saxophonist, studying with Julian Priester, Hans Teuber, Denney Goodhew, Jim Knapp. In addition to the saxophone, Jacob briefly studied jazz drums with Mark Ivester. In the Spring of 2009, Jacob received the Peter Vinikow Endowed Scholarship in Jazz Studies to further his studies at Cornish.
acob plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Saxophone Performance in the Spring of 2010. Although he is still in college, he has already performed with a number of Seattle's most in-demand musicians, leading projects in size ranging from a trio to a sextet.
What others are saying:
Jacob is an up-and-coming tenor sax player who has been making waves for himself recently. His band plays his original compositions, which are firmly rooted in the Post-Bop, Post-Coltrane genres. Jacob’s playing is at times introspective and at times searing. Just what you want from a tenor player!
- Jason Parker , Seattle-based trumpeter/bandleader
I find his compositions compelling...drawing interest from the listener.
-Denney Goodhew
I like his sound...very good feeling.
-Julian Priester
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