Rob Jacoby

Robert Joseph Jacoby (b. April 22 1988) is a New York based American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist.

Rob Jacoby grew up in White Plains, New York and graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in Elmsford, New York. He began saxophone instruction at the age of eight with his mentor, Milt Williams, father of actress/singer Vanessa L. Williams and actor/comedian Chris Williams. By age eleven, his interests concentrated on jazz music and he began studies in this genre elsewhere.

When Jacoby was only twelve years old, he began playing in musical productions in local theaters, honing his reading abilities and doubling skills. Jacoby started his own group called the Westchester Blue Notes, a sextet, who performed throughout Westchester County in New York and the rest of the tri-state area. Jacoby began to lead his own quartet/quintet and started performing in local clubs, restaurants, and bars. At the age of fifteen, Jacoby began studying with Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Ralph Lalama, who took the young musician under his wing and became one of his mentors.

Over his short, yet fruitful, career, Jacoby has performed at the Blue Note, 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, and Barry Ries.

Recent work

Jacoby has had the pleasure of recording for world-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," recorded on the Garagista Music label. The quartet/quintet album features Grammy Award winner Brian Lynch on trumpet, pianist David Hazeltine, bassist John Ray, and drummer Ron Vincent.

Jacoby is currently attending New York University in the Jazz Performance program, led by Dave Schroeder, 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.

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