Christian Jacob is a jazz pianist. He has gained widespread exposure as co-leader, arranger and pianist with vocalist Tierney Sutton, although he has also maintained a substantial career as a solo artist and leader.
While still at Berklee, Jacob worked with vibraphonist Gary Burton but left Boston to tour with Maynard Ferguson through 1992. Jacob served as performer, writer, and arranger with Ferguson’s band. This led to Ferguson producing Jacob’s first piano trio record, featuring John Patitucci and Peter Erskine. Sidemen for his follow-up trio project “Time Lines” were Steve Swallow and Adam Nussbaum. Jacob developed material with a third trio featuring Miroslav Vitous and Bill Stewart. The first two recordings were released on Concord Records, but the later is yet to be released. Jacob has extensive credits as a sideman, including Phil Woods, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Terje Gewelt, Carl Saunders and others, but his most visible association has been as co-leader and pianist for Telarc recording artist Tierney Sutton.
Initially, Jacob was hired to perform on one recording with Tierney, but the group bonded musically and gave up their leader/sidemen statuses. Sutton, Trey Henry, Ray Brinker, Kevin Axt, and Jacob became co-leaders of The Tierney Sutton Band. The band became known for its sophisticated, refreshing arrangements, and the obvious musical joy they felt when playing together. As co-leaders, they developed into a tightly knit group that recorded eight critically acclaimed CDs. Unsung Heroes, Blue in Green, Something Cool, Dancing in the Dark, I’m with the Band, On the Other Side, Desire and American Road. The latter four were each nominated for a Grammy Award. In 2012 Christian and The Tierney Sutton Band received two Grammy nominations for American Road, Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist.
Biography