Contradictions "A look at the music of Michel Petrucciani"
Christian Jacob began playing at the age of four and graduated with First Prize from the “Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique” in Paris. In 1983, he enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and later joined the faculty. While attending Berklee “Downbeat Magazine” honored Christian as “Top Collegiate Jazz Soloist” and he won the 6th Annual Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, Florida. Christian later toured with Maynard Ferguson, who produced Christian’s two Concord recordings: “Maynard Ferguson Presents Christian Jacob” and “Time Lines”. Christian quickly began performing and recording with many of today’s jazz legends Flora Purim and Airto Moreira, Phil Woods, and Bill Holman to name just a few. By the mid 1990’s Christian teamed up with vocalist Tierney Sutton, drummer Ray Brinker and bassist Trey Henry to record their first CD together, “Introducing Tierney Sutton”. The band became known for its sophisticated, refreshing arrangements, and the obvious musical joy they felt when playing together. They developed into a tightly knit group that recorded five critically acclaimed CDs for Telarc Jazz. “Unsung Heroes”, “Blue in Green”, “Something Cool”, “Dancing in the Dark” and “I’m With the Band”, which was recorded live at Birdland, New York, and nominated for a Grammy in 2005. In the midst of his success with the Tierney Sutton Band, Christian released his third trio CD, this time on WilderJazz. The 2004 release, “Styne & Mine”, is a tribute to the music of Jule Styne, and reached #3 in the jazz radio charts. In 2006 The Christian Jacob Trio will release “Contradictions” A Look at the Music of Michel Petrucciani