Jacoby, Don, 1920-1992

Donald B. "Jake" Jacoby of Denton, a musician, teacher and conductor, died Friday at his home. He was 72...

Mr. Jacoby was born in York, Pa., and lived in Denton for about 20 years. He began playing the trumpet when he was 6 years old and performed with various bands before enlisting in the Navy in 1942 and leading his own band at Great Lakes Naval Training Station.

Mr. Jacoby joined the staff of ABC Chicago in 1947 and performed at clinics and concerts for 17 years. He conducted the Municipal Band in Waukegan, Ill., for 10 years. He had been a teacher since 1947. He led his own band in Dallas, Las Vegas, and Chicago for 14 years.

Mr. Jacoby was president of the Dallas Musicians Union for three years. He performed with the Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman and Stan Kenton bands and played lead on four Louis Armstrong records. He toured with Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, Glen Campbell, George Burns, Carol Channing, Mel Torme, Lena Horne, Nancy Wilson and Frank Sinatra Jr...

Donald B Jacoby was born in York, Pennsylvania.
He began his lifelong study of the trumpet at the age of 6 and 1/2. He studied under his uncle Arthur Ansorg and had to practice 364 days a year. He only took Christmas day off.
Jake became a soloist with the Spring Garden Band at the age of 9 and played there until he finished High School at 16.
While in High School Jake was regularly featured on the Horn & Hardart Children's Hour on radio station WCAU in Philadelphia. He played also with the Tasty Treat Youth Pageant on WJZ in New York.
At the age of 16 Jake entered the Earnest S. Williams School of Music. During the three years it took for him to finish College Jake soloed at Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Town Hall and Central Park.
Don Jacoby graduated from college at the age of 19.
Jake joined the Milt Britton Band at Loew's Theater in Times Square. Jake later joined the Les Brown Band where he stayed until he entered the Navy.
While in the Navy Don Jacoby was chosen as the Star in uniform and performed with Tommy Dorsey.
He married Doris "Dori" Robinson while in the Navy.
He recorded several things during this time like "Command Performances & Mail Call" for the troops overseas.
After the war Jake moved to Chicago to return to the Les Brown Band. He also played with Benny Goodman at this time.
Not wanting to leave Chicago Jake became a soloist with ABC playing shows like Ed Sullivan, Martin & Lewis and others for over 9 years.
Don Jacoby then went to work for NBC and later CBS.
While with CBS Jake became a Conn Clinician teaching and playing all over North America.
After 10 years of clinics and tours Jake formed his own band and toured some more. Finally tiring of life on the road Jake moved to Dallas.
In Dallas Jake played recording and club dates. Jake spent a great deal of his time teaching and most of his students were also at North Texas studying Music.
Jake published a method book back in 1990.
Jake received the Humanitarian Award from IAJE some years back and was well deserving of it.
Although Jake is no longer with us both the man and his teaching will be remembered.

OBITUARY: Trumpeter Don Jacoby dies Musician who performed with big band greats later taught lessons Don Jacoby lived his life through music.
After a long career performing with musical greats such as Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey, Mr. Jacoby put down his trumpet but kept his passion for music alive through teaching.
"He was unique. My father's whole life was built around young people by teaching them about the art of music,' said his son, Bill "Bubba' Jacoby of Denton. "He had a profound influence on his students.'
Mr. Jacoby died of heart failure Friday at his Denton home. He was 72.
Although Mr. Jacoby had been ill in recent months, his death "was kind of hard on Christmas Day,' his son said. "But I can't think of a better way to remember him.'
Known to many as "Jake,' Mr. Jacoby taught hundreds of aspiring musicians -- including students from the University of North Texas -- since his retirement as a performer 13 years ago.
"Attitude is what has kept me going all these years, and that attitude is the way I feel about my students,' Mr. Jacoby said in an interview with The Dallas Morning News in July. "I can't teach unless I'm emotionally involved with my students.'
"He was one of the greats, and all the greats knew him,' said Galen Jeter, a Garland biology teacher who now heads the Dallas Jazz Orchestra. "Jake was a living legend. He was a sweet, kind man. He just showed his love through his teaching.'
Arlington trumpeter Bill Collins agreed.
"This guy had a reputation all over the world as being a great teacher,' he said. "The thing that made him so special is that he could articulate what he played."
Mr. Collins, one of hundreds of students that Mr. Jacoby didn't charge for lessons, said his former teacher inspired him to teach others for free.
"That's the legacy he was leaving for us all,' Mr. Collins said.
Born in York, Pa., Mr. Jacoby began playing the trumpet at age 6, when an uncle began giving him lessons.
Within a few years, the trumpeter was a featured soloist with a local band and was appearing regularly on a children's program. By age 12, he was performing at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
He attended noted musician Ernest Williams' music school and later played with several bands, including the Milt Britton and Les Brown bands. During World War II, Mr. Jacoby served in the Navy and led a band at a naval training station.
After the war, Mr. Jacoby -- then a CBS studio musician in Chicago -- began teaching at clinics for high school students. During his 53-year professional career, Mr. Jacoby performed with many big band and jazz masters, including Tommy Dorsey, Doc Severinsen and Benny Goodman. He stopped playing at the peak of his career. He kept his trumpet idle in a corner of his living room.
"I quit when I was playing my best,' he said in a recent interview. "I didn't want anybody saying, "Why doesn't that old guy quit?' '
But Mr. Jacoby kept busy. He wrote Jake's Method, a trumpet technique manual, and served as president of the Dallas Musicians' Union for several years.
A near-fatal heart attack a year ago persuaded him to slow down. He stopped drinking alcohol and quit smoking.
Reflecting on his career, Mr. Jacoby wrote in his book: "If I had my life to live over, I would be a musician again except A BETTER ONE!'
In addition to his son, Bill, Mr. Jacoby is survived by two other sons, Mike Jacoby of Breckenridge, Colo., and John Jacoby of Ruidoso, N.M.
A memorial service is pending.
Staff writer Tony Hartzel contributed to this report.

Dallas Morning News, The (TX) - Sunday, December 27, 1992

Can you tell me something about Don Jacoby?
Born: May 28, 1920 (per his son Bubba)
Died: December 25, 1992 (aged 72)

Don Jacoby was born in York, Pennsylvania. He began his lifelong study of the trumpet at the age of 6 and 1/2. He studied under his uncle Arthur Ansorg and had to practice 364 days a year. He only took Christmas day off.

Jake became a soloist with the Spring Garden Band at the age of 9 and played there until he finished High School at 16.

While in High School Jake was regularly featured on the Horn & Hardart Childrens Hour on radio station WCAU in Philadelphia. He played also with the Tasty Treat Youth Pageant on WJZ in New York.

At the age of 16 Jake entered the Earnest S. Williams School of Music. During the three years it took for him to finish College Jake soloied at Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Town Hall and Central Park. Jake graduated from college at the age of 19.

Jake joined the Milt Britton Band at Loew’s Theatre in Times Square. Jake later joined the Les Brown Band where he stayed until he entered the Navy.

While in the Navy Jake was chosen as the Star in uniform and performed with Tommy Dorsey. He married Doris “Dori” Robinson while in the Navy. He recorded several things during this time like “Command Performances & Mail Call” for the troops overseas.

After the war Jake moved to Chicago to return to the Les Brown Band. He also played with Benny Goodman at this time.

Not wanting to leave Chicago Jake became a soloist with ABC playing shows like Ed Sullivan, Martin & Lewis and others for over 9 years.

Jake then went to work for NBC and later CBS.

While with CBS Jake became a Conn Clinician teaching and playing all over North America.

After 10 years of clinics and tours Jake formed his own band and toured some more. Finally tiring of life on the road Jake moved to Dallas.

In Dallas Jake played recording and club dates. Jake spent a great deal of his time teaching and most of his students were also at North Texas studying Music.

Jake published a method book back in 1990 and is available from his son Bubba at ... 2 CDs are also available.

Jake received the Humanitarian Award from IAJE some years back and was well deserving of it.

Although Jake is no longer with us both the man & his teaching will be remembered.

Pops

Name: Donald B. Jacoby
Birth Date: 28 May 1920
Birth Place: York, York, Pennsylvania, USA
Residence Date: 6 Jun 1950
Residence Place: Waukegan, Lake, Illinois, USA

Don "Jake" Jacoby was a noted trumpeter, teacher, band leader and author who died December 25, 1992 at age 72.[2] He played with Benny Goodman, Les Brown, did session work for CBS, NBC and soloed at Carnegie Hall.[3] In addition, he did much recording session work in Dallas, Texas, where he also performed with his own groups and served for a while as president of A.F. of M. Local 147.

Jacoby was born in York, Pennsylvania and learned to play trumpet from an uncle at six years old. He was one of the youngest players ever accepted to the famous E. S. Williams school. While still in his teens he often played the Herbert L. Clarke parts in the John Philip Sousa band in concerts in Central Park.[4]

Jacoby spent much of his life teaching and doing clinics for Conn. During this time he recorded several albums such as "Have Conns Will Travel", "Don Jacoby & College All-Stars Swinging Big Sound LP" and "Jacoby Brings The House Down".

He spent the last years of his life teaching private students and writing a trumpet book, "Jake's Method". Don taught in Denton, Texas, and tutored many very successful brass players including Bobby Shew, Marvin Stamm, Craig Johnson and Dan Miller.

He was listed as one of the top players of the 20th century in Dr. Nobel's book, “The Psychology of Cornet & Trumpet Playing," and he is mentioned in "The Secret of Technique Preservation" written by his teacher E. S. Williams.

Jake is gone but not forgotten by many of us in the trumpet world who were fortunate enough to have known him. If you are interested in his background and accomplishments, I highly recommend Clint “Pops” Mc Laughlin’s site . If you are interested in what Jake was really like, I can share two stories which might give you some insight into the real Don Jacoby.

When first locating yourself in a new area, it is to your advantage to make contact with one of the more active players in order for them to help you get work. This is what I did when starting my education at the then, North Texas State. The first person I became friends with was Larry Ford, then lead trumpet with the One O’clock Lab band in Denton, Texas. Through a friend, I was able to meet and become friends with Larry and through Larry, I was able to schedule lessons with Jake in neighboring Dallas, Texas.

Before I go any further, let me describe the flamboyant gentleman to you so that you understand what lessons and an eventual friendship was like with Jake. Jake was unique. His height did not match his warm, friendly, loud, outspoken, sometimes edgy character. When he entered the room, he owned the room. When he spoke, everyone listened. Don was not a wall flower and his opinions and views on everything was the only view. His laughter was seasoned with the raspyness of years spent in smoke filled clubs. His grip was confident and as sure as his attitude towards his instrument. I am not saying that Jake was arrogant for there was never a more kind and considerate person in the world. As most trumpet players know, there is a certain confidence that goes with the instrument and Jake had that certainty.

A typical lesson with Jake usually took the whole afternoon, followed by an invitation to share dinner with him and his wonderful wife Dori, followed by an invitation to join him at the club where his band was currently performing. That’s how Jake was. He was there to help young trumpet players and for that the trumpet world was made better. During my first lesson the phone range, which was common, and from the one sided conversation, I could tell it was someone from a local recording studio. Eventually Jake turned to me and asked, “Can you sing”? That was not a question I was prepared to answer but I finally assured him I could sing. The telephone conversation continued, then I was asked, “what’s your range?’ It was then that I realized that Jake was trying to get me on a recording session as a singer! I love that story and let me assure you, I didn’t get that job. I did get others through Jake and eventually move into Dallas and worked full time in the area, both playing and teaching.

Another life experience with Jake happened one evening when he called and asked if I would sub for him at the Club Village in Dallas. I had set in for him on a couple of occasions (extremely out gunned by the other members of his band- which members included, Lou Marini ,
Phil Kelly, Banks Diamond and Wayne Harrison who replaced Bobby Burgess after “Butter” relocated in Europe. On the few occasions when I did lower the standards of the band, I was petrified and could not understand why I was ever asked back. On one such occasion, I entered the club to take my place on the band stand and noticed another trumpet player on stage visiting with Lou Marini. At first the figure did not register but as I got closer, I realized that the trumpet player was Garry Grant, at that time the current lead player for the one o’clock. Louie saw me and explained that Jake had asked him also to find a replacement. What should I do, what should I do? My decision took all of one second and I bowed to the superior musician. It wasn’t until recently that Garry’s name came up and I was floored to think that we were both hired for the same gig.

For those who own Jake’s last LP Jake Brings the House Down, notice the white dust coming from behind the mound of rubble where Jake is standing. The day they took the cover shot, they hired some neighborhood kids to throw sacks of baking powder in the air to simulate building dust. I thought you might find that interesting. I was in Jake’s condo the week the record came out and he told me the story.

In closing, I would like to thank Don not only for what he did for me and my family, but also for the hundreds and possibly thousands of young trumpet players around the world. His playing and teaching were inspirations to us all. We who were blessed to have shared time with him will never forget his love and never ending excitement for the art of music.

Personal message to Jake- “Every time I put a shake on a note, I think of you and how you influenced my life”.

In Groups:
Chubby Jackson's Big Band, Les Brown And His Orchestra, Sam Donahue Navy Band, The College All-Stars

Name: Don B Jacoby
Gender: Male
Residence Year: 1969
Residence Place: Dallas, Texas
Spouse:
Doris Jacoby
Publication Title: Polk's Greater Dallas City Directory, 1969