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Charlie Jacobson to perform at Red Deer’s Elks Lodge

Local singer released his first full length project last year
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ON THE ROAD - Charlie Jacobson brings his extensive collection of tunes to the Elks Lodge on Nov. 12th. The show is being presented by the Central Music Festival Society.

BY MARK WEBER

Lacombe Express

Gifted local musician Charlie Jacobson is gearing up for a show at the Elks Lodge in Red Deer on Nov. 12th, presented by the Central Music Festival Society. Showtime is 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m.

Jacobson, an accomplished musician and songwriter, serves up tunes that span a number of genres from blues and funk to rock and R&B. He’s been a busy guy this past year, continuing to make a name for himself nation-wide via his own unique interpretation of a range of genres.

“In 2016, I have travelled across Canada twice as The Artist on Board CN rail performing for the passengers on the train,” he said. “I’ve also flown back and forth to Ontario seven times this year for performances. Otherwise I’ve been on the highway performing over 100 dates with my band, solo and backing up Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne, Russell Jackson and Sherman ‘Tank’ Doucette.”

Last February, he also tracked the guitar for the latest Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne album ‘live off the floor’ with the rest of the band. “The album - Jumpin’ and Boppin’ for Joy went to number one on American and Canadian Blues and Roots charts. And currently Kenny, Sherman Doucette and I are performing regularly in Kelowna for School of Blues at the Rotary Arts Centre as well as the Lake City Casino, the Capri Hotel, Hotel Eldorado, Wineries, events and festivals.”

These days, Jacobson is recording a single in Toronto with his Ontario band - Steve Thomas on drums and Bryant Didier on bass. “Didier is producing the track. The new single will be available for Christmas as a ‘B Side’ to my Christmas single that I am recording called Christmas at The Commercial Hotel.

“This is also the third year in a row that I am scheduled to perform for seven nights at Blues on Whyte in the Commercial Hotel in Edmonton.”

Looking ahead, a full length Charlie Jacobson release is set for January of 2017.

The project will include original songs written and performed on the road including Train Bridge, Streetcar, Bluesmobile, Train Whistle and Goin’ To Dawson to name a few.

Jacobson was exposed early to diverse styles as a child, attending folk festivals, rock shows, musical theatre, community classical, jazz and bluegrass concerts and sleeping above rehearsals of his parents’ rhythm and blues and folk bands.

With his guitar and suitcase drums always packed in the car, his nomadic lifestyle takes him to shows ranging from music festivals, house concerts, large blues clubs to community halls and theatres. Fans might see him fronting the Charlie Jacobson Band or recreating that full sound on his own, playing his suitcase drums with his heels, ripping on the guitar, singing and dancing.

“Music has always been present in my life. It’s not set aside for any certain time; music is a part of everything for me,” he added. “As a child, I would fall asleep to the sound of my parents band rehearsing in the kitchen. My parents write original music, performed at music festivals and released original recordings on vinyl, tapes and CDs. My sister is also a great singer and performed in musical theatre and choirs.”

His success at such a young age isn’t surprising given the fact he comes from talented stock to be sure. As mentioned, his parents - Bruce Jacobson and Teresa Neuman - are both musicians as well. He’s been performing onstage since he was four or five years old. Over the years as a youth, he studied piano and guitar - largely self-taught and taught by his parents as well. He also started taking fiddle lessons at age seven.

“We had our last official family band performance at the Central Music Festival as The Jacobson 4. There is nothing better than getting together with your family and playing music together especially original songs.”

For the show here in the City, Jacobson has enlisted his father Bruce to perform with him at the Elks Lodge on second guitar as well as his old band mates - Andy Hamilton on bass and Kent Cadman on drums.

Jacobson released his solo debut EP Live from the Chop Bin in 2013. He also released his first full length project self-titled album The Charlie Jacobson Band last year.

“The most fulfilling part about being a musician is playing music for an appreciative audience,” he explained. “Travelling, seeing new places and hearing new music continues to inspire me<span class="App