Biography
Erik Jekabson is a freelance trumpet player, composer, arranger, and educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He maintains an active career performing throughout the region as a bandleader with various groups while also composing and teaching.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] His professional engagements include touring with jazz legends Illinois Jacquet and John Santos, highlighting his roots in traditional and contemporary jazz scenes.[1]
Jekabson's musical style centers on jazz, where he balances performance, composition, and education equally. He leads ensembles like the Erik Jekabson Sextet and Quintet, performing original works in Bay Area venues such as The Sound Room.[3][8] As an educator, he contributes to institutions like the Jazzschool, fostering the next generation of musicians.[5]
While specific details on his early life remain limited in available sources, Jekabson's enduring presence in the Bay Area jazz community underscores his legacy as a versatile contributor to the genre, with a focus on freelance work and local performances.[1][2][4]
Fun Facts
- Erik Jekabson is equally dedicated to composing and performing, splitting his time evenly between these pursuits in the Bay Area jazz scene.[1][3][4]
- He leads multiple groups as a bandleader, including the Erik Jekabson Sextet and Quintet, with regular performances at venues like The Sound Room.[2][3]
- Jekabson is affiliated with the Jazzschool as an educator, contributing to jazz instruction in Berkeley.[5][8]
Musical Connections
Key Collaborators
- Illinois Jacquet - toured with as trumpet player (touring performances) [not specified]
- John Santos - toured with as trumpet player (touring performances) [not specified]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Erik Jekabson has been played 3 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 14, 2026 | 07:30 | Above the Cloudsfrom Breakthrough | The Morning Setw/ Breaux Bridges | |
| Jan 7, 2026 | 08:22 | Forever Youngfrom The Axes, Vol. 2: Summer Solstice | The Morning Setw/ Breaux Bridges | |
| Dec 31, 2025 | 06:42 | Solstice Bluesfrom The Axes, Vol. 2: Summer Solstice | The Morning Setw/ Breaux Bridges |