Pete Jacobsen
Quick Facts
Biography
Pete Jacobsen (16 May 1950 – 29 April 2002), sometimes credited at Peter Jacobsen, was an English jazz pianist.
Jacobsen made his name accompanying Scottish tenor saxophonist Bobby Wellins, appearing on recordings such as Jubilation (1978), Dreams Are Free (1979), and Birds of Brazil (1989). He variously worked with Tim Whitehead, Carmina, Barbara Thompson, Bobby Wellins, Don Weller, Dick Morrissey, Jim Mullen and Chris Biscoe.
Early life and education
He was born Peter Paul George Jacobsen in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Having lost his sight as a baby, he studied at the Worcester School for the Blind before moving to London in 1969 to study at the Royal Academy of Music.
Career
Jacobsens first professional gigs were with saxophonist Barbara Thompson and Isotope's Gary Boyle, before joining the jazz-fusion band Morrissey–Mullen and also playing in percussionist Chris Fletcher's band.
Other notable saxophonists he worked with include Don Weller, Chris Biscoe, Alan Skidmore, Peter King and Tim Whitehead, as well as accompanying visiting artists such as bassist Eberhard Weber and American trombonist Jimmy Knepper.
Jacobsen also gave memorable solo recitals at the Sherborne Jazz Festival and at the Brighton Jazz Club, where he was a regular performer.
He also toured and recorded with the Celtic-jazz band Carmina.
Death
Jacobsen died, age 51, in London.
Discography
- 1978 –Jubilation (Bobby Wellins Quartet)
- 1979 – Dreams Are Free (Bobby Wellins Quartet)
- 1984 –Hi-Fly (Peter King with the Philippe Briand Trio)
- 1985 –This Must Be the Place (Morrissey–Mullen)
- Modern Alarms (Chris Biscoe Quartet/Quintet/Sextet)
- 1986 –Chris Biscoe Sextet (Chris Bisoe Sextet)
- 1988 –Happy Hour (Morrissey–Mullen)
- 1988 –Eleven Years From Yesterday (Phil Wachsmann, Peter Jacobsen, Ian Brighton, Marcio Mattos and Trevor Taylor)
- 1989 –Birds of Brazil (Bobby Wellins Quintet with the Delme String Quartet)
- 1990 –So Slam It (Charlie Hearnshaw Quartet)
- 1991 –Authentic (Tim Whitehead Quartet)
- 1994 –Silence Between Waves (Tim Whitehead Quartet)
- 1994 –Ever Onward (solo)
- 2002 –On Your Marks (Pete Jacobsen, Simon Woolf and Nic France Trio live at the Peterborough Jazz Club)
- 2003 –See You Later, Forever – Phil Burdett (featured on organ and piano)