BIO
“Endearing… highly engaging… Jacob superbly touches on feelings of anxiety, frustration, confusion, and isolation."
Jacob is an anxiety-ridden vegetarian environmentalist who broke his femur at age five.
Instead of doing the emotionally healthy thing of moving on, he channels his feelings into characteristically nostalgic and witty alt-folk songs. Jacob uses his concerts as group therapy sessions and while he tells stories about his own sad and sometimes silly history, he also brings audiences in to share their own feelings and anecdotes, giving them space to feel their rage, sorrow, and embarrassments. With a voice that is raw, powerful, and emotive, Jacob takes us on a self reflective journey through heartaches, anxieties, and, ultimately, to hope. He performs as both a solo musician and with a backing band.
As a theatre artist, Jacob is most interested in new works that expand accessibility, present less examined perspectives, and are focused on enacting positive change. He tends to work on theatrical projects with actor/musician ensembles and has also helped develop new plays and musicals with the WP Theatre, Lincoln Center Education, Our Establishment LLC, and in plenty of New York City apartments.
When he’s not composing or performing, Jacob is a teaching artist. As well as leading masterclasses and working in early childhood music education, he has his own private studio teaching guitar and voice. His students range from 5 years old to beyond and enjoy his sardonic humor and supportive nature.
If you would like to book Jacob for your private event, please contact him here. He would be thrilled to be your wedding guitarist, corporate hype man, or the person to embarrass you at your birthday party.
Jacob Shipley is a Breedlove Artist.