WITHOUT NOTICE (2020)
*Available on your preferred streaming platform*
LINER NOTES:
It would be easy to term James Garrett Jacobson as a serial musician. One definition of the word “serial” in my dictionary is engaging in a series of similar acts or behaviors. When it involves the act of making music, that is something Jacobson has done most of his life. Born a natural musician, he started on the piano at the age of seven and soon after took up the guitar to compliment his singing abilities.
After discovering the blues and grasping a firm foundation of that root genre, he began performing in local bands exhibiting his absorption of early influences like Little Milton, Bobby Blue Bland and the Kings (Freddie, Albert & B.B.) among others. Not long after high school graduation, he was bitten by the big B-3 bug while attending a gig by Hammond hero Brother Jack McDuff. After intensive wood shedding and listening to console masters like Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson, Richard “Groove” Holmes, Mel Rhyne, Charles Earland, and many others, he began incorporating their inspiration into his own take on the dual keyboards and bass foot pedals of the imposing behemoth. On this release as a leader, it's apparent he learned his lessons well. Garrett has recently acquired his master’s degree in music at the University of Central Oklahoma.
That old cliché about variety being the spice is strongly verified on this sixth issue under his leadership as the nine numbers range in personnel from trio to big band groupings. The majority of the side people consists largely of players from the campus of the aforementioned UCO. Percussive honcho Dave Bowen, who is on the trap throne for all tracks (save for one) is a first call name for gigs around the OKC metroplex. His spouse, Rei Wang, is a Taiwanese-American that appears on upright bass on four piano selections and provides thoughtful solos on a pair of them. The bulk of the horn work springs from two veterans, trumpeter Lee Rucker, professor emeritus at UCO and Jacobson's mentor jazz-wise, while his sidekick, saxist Vince Norman, is a retired member of the Army Jazz Ambassadors and adjunct sax teacher at the same institution. They add precision horn lines to four cuts and show up separately on a few others. This particular foursome are the principal players throughout this all-original program from Jacobson.
Yet there are other instrumental voices adding extra spice to this delicious gumbo. Another UCO affiliate and jazz guitar instructor, Grant Goldstein, makes his sole appearance on the brisk “Summer Weeds” with a clever three note punch that introduces the solos. That tune is followed by “The Flirt” where guitarist Clayton Roffey appears and later takes a tasteful ride on “In The Moment”. He and fellow plectrumist Stephen Shultz, who graces “Visible Horizon”, are both current/former UCO students. The inclusion of strings on these items provides some extra coloration.
The three consecutive piano selections deserve special mention. Dave Bowen's kit introduces “All or None” set in a moderato time as the horns play the (AAB) theme. Super cool how the tenor answers the last lick of the trumpet solo to begin its solo. A heavily chorded piano investigation leads into a trio vamp overlaid with popping drums before the horns re-enter. Cymbal splashes preface the only ballad present, “Clarity”, into the melody with its brief channel. The third title is hands down this writer's fave. Sounding like it could be straight out of the Three Sounds songbook, “One For Gene” is a romping blues that salutes the under-appreciated pianist, the late Gene Harris. Dropping subtle quotes, Garrett really tears this one up in an extended passage before returning after the upright spot for some rowdy fours with Willie Peterson, a longtime band mate and fellow grad.
The final cut is a radical departure from the previous ones, a large group chart arranged and orchestrated by the protagonist (on both piano and overdubbed guitar). Most of the players are students at the often mentioned university and members of the UCO Jazz Ensemble 1 along with the Bowens and Vince Norman, who shines on a crisp alto spot. That title track concludes the record with a bang nary a whimper. Just another example of the versatility and authority of one, James Garrett Jacobson.
May the music uplift us all.
Larry Hollis
Cadence magazine
LINER NOTES:
It would be easy to term James Garrett Jacobson as a serial musician. One definition of the word “serial” in my dictionary is engaging in a series of similar acts or behaviors. When it involves the act of making music, that is something Jacobson has done most of his life. Born a natural musician, he started on the piano at the age of seven and soon after took up the guitar to compliment his singing abilities.
After discovering the blues and grasping a firm foundation of that root genre, he began performing in local bands exhibiting his absorption of early influences like Little Milton, Bobby Blue Bland and the Kings (Freddie, Albert & B.B.) among others. Not long after high school graduation, he was bitten by the big B-3 bug while attending a gig by Hammond hero Brother Jack McDuff. After intensive wood shedding and listening to console masters like Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson, Richard “Groove” Holmes, Mel Rhyne, Charles Earland, and many others, he began incorporating their inspiration into his own take on the dual keyboards and bass foot pedals of the imposing behemoth. On this release as a leader, it's apparent he learned his lessons well. Garrett has recently acquired his master’s degree in music at the University of Central Oklahoma.
That old cliché about variety being the spice is strongly verified on this sixth issue under his leadership as the nine numbers range in personnel from trio to big band groupings. The majority of the side people consists largely of players from the campus of the aforementioned UCO. Percussive honcho Dave Bowen, who is on the trap throne for all tracks (save for one) is a first call name for gigs around the OKC metroplex. His spouse, Rei Wang, is a Taiwanese-American that appears on upright bass on four piano selections and provides thoughtful solos on a pair of them. The bulk of the horn work springs from two veterans, trumpeter Lee Rucker, professor emeritus at UCO and Jacobson's mentor jazz-wise, while his sidekick, saxist Vince Norman, is a retired member of the Army Jazz Ambassadors and adjunct sax teacher at the same institution. They add precision horn lines to four cuts and show up separately on a few others. This particular foursome are the principal players throughout this all-original program from Jacobson.
Yet there are other instrumental voices adding extra spice to this delicious gumbo. Another UCO affiliate and jazz guitar instructor, Grant Goldstein, makes his sole appearance on the brisk “Summer Weeds” with a clever three note punch that introduces the solos. That tune is followed by “The Flirt” where guitarist Clayton Roffey appears and later takes a tasteful ride on “In The Moment”. He and fellow plectrumist Stephen Shultz, who graces “Visible Horizon”, are both current/former UCO students. The inclusion of strings on these items provides some extra coloration.
The three consecutive piano selections deserve special mention. Dave Bowen's kit introduces “All or None” set in a moderato time as the horns play the (AAB) theme. Super cool how the tenor answers the last lick of the trumpet solo to begin its solo. A heavily chorded piano investigation leads into a trio vamp overlaid with popping drums before the horns re-enter. Cymbal splashes preface the only ballad present, “Clarity”, into the melody with its brief channel. The third title is hands down this writer's fave. Sounding like it could be straight out of the Three Sounds songbook, “One For Gene” is a romping blues that salutes the under-appreciated pianist, the late Gene Harris. Dropping subtle quotes, Garrett really tears this one up in an extended passage before returning after the upright spot for some rowdy fours with Willie Peterson, a longtime band mate and fellow grad.
The final cut is a radical departure from the previous ones, a large group chart arranged and orchestrated by the protagonist (on both piano and overdubbed guitar). Most of the players are students at the often mentioned university and members of the UCO Jazz Ensemble 1 along with the Bowens and Vince Norman, who shines on a crisp alto spot. That title track concludes the record with a bang nary a whimper. Just another example of the versatility and authority of one, James Garrett Jacobson.
May the music uplift us all.
Larry Hollis
Cadence magazine
IN THE MOMENT (2014)
With his long awaited CD release on the Hammond organ, In The Moment, Garrett and his trio offer up a set of tasteful originals and standards in the classic jazz organ tradition. With tunes such as the hard-swinging title track "In The Moment" and the greasy "Skillet Gravy", Garrett's solid bassline feel and lyrical phrasing creates plenty of memorable tracks.
IN PERSON (2011)
"Jacobson is a strong vocalist and a impressive guitar player, often adopting a tone that reminds you of early B.B.King. His fluid style is highlighted in each solo as Jacobson takes his time, refusing to overplay. Whether he is playing sharp, single note runs or rapid-fire staccato licks, Jacobson always plays with a discriminating tastefulness." - Blues Blast (Issue 6-27, July 6, 2012)
SOUL BUFFET (2004)
A mix of Jacobson's different musical offerings wrapped into one album: blues guitar, jazz organ, and a bonus vocal big band track.
THAT FUNKY THANG (2001)
"Garrett 'Big G' Jacobson leads his tight, swinging band through a set of originals...making this disc a dance floor threat. His singing is smoky and confidently unforced." (Blues Revue)
RHYTHM ATTACK (1998)
"...this Okie's dramatic guitar playing creates hard-hitting songs." (Living Blues)