User:Neilrj/sandbox

Neil Jacobson – Musician, songwriter

Neil Richard Jacobson, born February 15, 1957 in Oceanside, New York, has been involved in music since the age of 7, first playing folk guitar and then drums. While in Junior High school he formed the group The Highlighters with child prodogy, piano-playing brother, John, and together they performed throughout junior high and high school.

His formal music education continued at Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, later renamed Shenandoah University studying percussion under Dr. Bates. After college, Neil moved back to New York and continued working towards his Masters at The Manhattan School of music, studying under famed percussion instructor Paul Price. Disillusioned with academic studies, Neil discontinued collegiate education and moved into New York city with his brother. While living in New York City, the group, now renamed Those Jacobson Brothers, performed in various jazz clubs including Clifford's, then located on 72nd Street.

He continued performing in numerous bands and worked in Jump Street, then the house band for Mikell's, a popular music-industry club. In 1999 he formed a partnership with Kid Creole keyboardist Peter Schott and wrote jingles and television music under S/J Music. Together they wrote commercials for Nintendo and Panasonic and produced and wrote album projects including "Owed to Pain – The Walter Bishop Jr. Story", The Hayes Incident's – 3 for All", and "Trife's – The Singles". They then collaborated with noted French animation master, Jean-Pierre Jacquet, and created several animated series including The Bugs, Frik & Frak, and Deadbeats.

Neil joined alternative band Less Disturbed in 2002 and together with founder Ciaran Swift wrote over 100 songs. Their iTunes album "Powerless" is an underground iTunes staple under the now re-named "Not So Swift" after Ciaran's untimely death.

Neil continues to perform and compose and lives in New York City.