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 (where all the proceeds go to the artist!) 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.

August/September 2010: My good friend guitarist Garrrett Williams has a new recording out: G-Bop 5000 is groovin’ and full of Garrrett’s personality. It is in my car player on regular rotation! As I warm up to the new school year, I am reminded that it takes all kinds of music to make the world go ’round. I see some “in the pocket” sounds in my student ensemble’s futures. Search: gbop5000…

On September 17, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Valerie Nicholson, Rob Calhoon and I will host a jam session at the Salon Artist Gallery, 294 Main St. in Park Forest to usher in the 2010 Park Forest Art Fair (September 18 &19). Come on out and hang!

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.

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 visited Chicago 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 two years already! We hope to have this CD available soon.

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!