Peter Paul George Jacobsen, jazz pianist and composer: born Newcastle upon Tyne 16 May 1950; died London 29 April 2002
This is a tribute site for Pete set up by one of his friends who misses the stroppy old bugger dearly! It contains obituries from The Independent, The Guardian and other press as well as personal memories from some of his friends and colleagues.
If you have any photographs, music or film that you would be happy to share on this site, or want to add your memories of Pete, please send me a message. I'll be glad to hear from you.
Pianist Pete Jacobsen never achieved the degree of public recognition his talents deserved, but he was held in the highest regard by his fellow musicians. His most fruitful musical relationship was arguably in the band led by Scottish tenor saxophonist Bobby Wellins, with whom he worked from the late 1970 onwards.
Jacobsen appeared on several of Wellinss recordings, including Jubilation (1978), Dreams Are Free (1979), and Birds of Brazil (1989), and remained a regular member of the saxophonists bands into the 1990s.
He was born Peter Paul George Jacobsen in Newcastle. He lost his sight as a baby when a growth behind his optic nerve left him blind, but developed a remarkable ability to memorise even complex big band arrangements by ear alone.
He began piano as a small child, and studied at Worcester School for the Blind before returning to his native north-east, where he formed his own jazz trio and appeared on local television as a teenage prodigy. He moved to London in 1969, and studied organ at the Royal Academy of Music until 1972, and briefly thereafter at Durham University.
He immersed himself in the London jazz scene, earning a reputation as a pianist of great strength, invention, refinement and adaptability. He had perfect pitch, absorbed music like a sponge, and was capable of working in virtually any genre of music.
He began to play with luminaries of the jazz fusion scene of the day, notably saxophonist Barbara Thompson and guitarist Gary Boyle, and later has a stint with the celebrated Morrissey-Mullen, a very successful band jointly led by the late Dick Morrissey and another Scottish jazz star, guitarist Jim Mullen.
He worked with a number of noted saxophonists, including Bobby Wellins, Don Weller, Chris Biscoe, Alan Skidmore, and Tim Whitehead, and accompanied visiting artists like bassist Eberhard Weber and American trombonist Jimmy Knepper.
As a pianist he possessed great technical and musical resources, and was always willing to place himself in a challenging musical situation. At the same time, he was equally ready to accept a gig accompanying singers in pubs and clubs in London and in Essex, some of whom were not worthy of his talents.
He lived alone, and was known as a fiercely independent personality. He toured Australia in March with the Celtic-jazz band Carmina, and recorded with them in Ireland, but his health was clearly failing. His final tour with the Tim Whitehead Quartet took place in April.
His last recorded work was with Phil Burdett and Jane Winiberg on their albums 'See you Later Forever' and 'Close Up And Real' respectively.
I just wanted to let you know, that a new track of mine is waiting for your oppinion. It's called "run the self" and its the first track after a decade of music production, that I sung myself.
If you like it, you can DOWNLOAD IT in high quality FOR FREE. just check out my blog for the link and have fun ;O)
I just wanted to let you know, that a new track of mine is waiting for your oppinion. It's called "run the self" and its the first track after a decade of music production, that I sung myself.
If you like it, you can DOWNLOAD IT in high quality FOR FREE. just check out my blog for the link and have fun ;O)
"At last a follow up to Janette Mason's sparkling debut as leader. Alien Left Hand ....was well worth the wait…” Production **** Performance**** -- BBC Music Magazine
“…an album fizzing with fresh ideas and delights, an exhilarating musical journey .. with brilliantly original writing and inspired playing…” -- Helen Mayhew
"Every track from the rhythmic ‘NY Cab Ride’ and restless ‘4 Wheel Drive’ to the brooding ‘Mae’s Song’ has a terrific hook but it’s the way Mason switches tempo and moods that makes ALH great fun. " -- Diva Magazine
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**** - Jazzwise "The best neo-bop group in the UK" BBC Radio 3 Jazz Line-up
Hi Pete Jacobsen,
Just stopped by to say hello and thank you again for your friendship. I am honored by it.
I also wanted to tell you that I am casting for several musicians, vocalist, and dancers. I am producing a show for tour and need artists not only for recording but for touring as well. As you may or may not know, I am preparing for a tour this summer/ fall to five cities across the globe, and am looking for solid talent. Since you have been so kind in lending me your ear, and offering your friendship, I thought I might come to myspace before putting ads in the trades. So I came to myspace first.
PLEASE READ IN DETAIL... it may answer your questions. I am offering a flat rate for service or a percentage of profits off the sales of recorded material. That part is up to you. Rates and fees will be discussed upon approval in the first round of the selection process. If you know of someone who might be interested in this information, please pass this note on to them.
Here’s what I am looking for:
Orchestral:
Violin, Viola, Cello
Oboe, French Horn, Trumpet, Clarinet
Primary & Secondary Percussionist
Vocal:
SATB / Female & Male – Lead Capability
Dance:
Ballet, Point, Lyrical
Here is what you need to do:
E-mail me with your name and age (18+ only) and current contact information such as an e-mail address to tim@composertimoneil.com. Please forward all questions and querries to tim@composertimoneil.com. Please list three of your major accomplishments with your art; such as degrees or special performances. Make sure to include a Current Photo (JPEG or Bitmap only), MP3 (music) or WMV (video for dance or live performance) of some of your best work; something that make you stand out from the rest. Please do not send anything that lasts for more than 30 seconds and no file over 10 mb will be accepted. Make it short and sweet, and make it count. If I need any more material, I will let you know. The cutoff date for accepting materi
