Welcome. I am very excited about the new release of Parts Unknown, my debut album, and the simultaneous posting of stevejacobsonjazz.com, a website dedicated not only to my music and career as a jazz guitarist, but to the preservation and promotion of jazz and creative music across the board. Parts Unknown is now available for download at DigStation or iTunes, or you may buy the CD directly from me or through CD Baby. Please let me know your thoughts about the music and the site via email or telephone.

Parts Unknown, recorded a few years ago, sounds mighty fresh thanks to inspired performances by saxophonists Matana Roberts and Rudresh Mahanthappa, trombonist Craig Sunken, pianist Matt Kanelos, bassists Matt Thompson and Tim Fox, and drummers Joe Adamik and Jeff Fortin. All of these musicians are powerful and positive forces in jazz today… listen to samples on the Music page.

Happy New Year 2010! If you are considering purchasing a copy of Parts Unknown, for two weeks starting January 25, 2010, for every CD or download of $8.99 or more, CD Baby will donate $1 to earthquake relief in Haiti.

November 2009: Well, I finally figured out how to add links in the Blogroll (above right) and Bob Winett has the honor of being the first person added to the “honor roll.” Bob performed my composition One For Marc Anton on his new recording The Flute, The Whole Flute, and Nothing But The Flute (featuring guitarist Henry Johnson, bassist Larry Gray, and drummer Leon Joyce). Visit his website for a listen.

October 2009: I had a fun reunion with Matt Thompson (bass) and Joe Adamik (drums), performing for a reception at Lewis University on Saturday the 3rd. They both sounded great and much of that trio magic is still there! Also, pianist Chris Ussery and I performed a few Duke Ellington compositions to close out “Stairway to the Stars” at Freedom Hall in Park Forest on Sunday the 18th.

September 2009: A band featuring myself with Eugene Vinyard (tenor sax), Valerie Nicholson (piano), Rob Calhoon (bass), Jeff Fortin (drums) performed Friday, September 11 at Colin Powell School in Matteson, Illinois for the “Taste of Matteson.” Two things stand out: playing “America the Beautiful” and watching the expressions on Jeff’s face as he played with Eugene for the first time!

In the works: a new recording project with my old friend Jay Mabin, a harmonica player’s harmonica player… Jay lives way out west in Tacoma, Washington (my home town as well). The session in Washington was a success… we have five tracks with Joe Doria on Hammond organ, and Mike Slivka on drums (recorded by Gary Crooks). Jay was in Chicago during Jazz Festival week and we recorded several more tunes, a few duo, and a few trio with bassist Matt Thompson (who also engineered)… listen to the rough mixes on the Music page. Wow, it has been over a year already! We hope to have this CD available Spring 2010.

Also: Bassist Phil Brown and I need to continue the FourOnSix legacy, but meanwhile check out his wonderful new CD Bright Side. Phil is in the Blogroll as well…

Last, but certainly not least: Eugene Vinyard, yes Eugene Vinyard! This man is a heavy hitter on the tenor saxophone. Gene, I’d love to record with you as well… on my wish to-do list for 2010!

One more thing: stimulate the economy, hire musicians!

Thanks: to Nick Calabrese and Bruce Gibson of WRRG’s Local Jazz Focus for the lengthy interview and airing of several cuts from Parts Unknown on July 1, 2008. Check out their show every Tuesday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. @ 88.9 FM or at myspace.com/wrrg