"Take a Chicago born Blues Man and transplant them to Germany, things can get crazy in an exciting sort-of-way. Will Jacobs is that excitement, and plays like a Blues Man possessed. His mastery of the guitar leaves one in complete admiration of his dedication to the Blues/Rock craft." –– INDIE PULSE MUSIC
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE • 2023 RUFS BLUES CARAVAN featuring Ally Venable, Will Jacobs & Ashley Sherlock
Known for his powerful, live performances, Ruf Records recording artist WILL JACOBS is a modern Blues/Soul/R&B artist from Chicago, Illinois USA. At 30 years old, he's no stranger to performance stages having honed his chops the old-fashioned way – experience.
His early teens were spent gigging in Chicago clubs backing many of the city's finest blues men and women (while at the same time playing in a Grammy-winning, high school jazz band.)
In 2009, he attracts local and international attention with his first band (Dirty Deal), performing at the International Blues Showcase in Memphis, Tennessee after having won Chicago’s Windy City Blues Challenge (Youth Division). His band leaves their mark due to Will’s mature improvisational skills and vocal talents, coupled with its deep, blues-infused sound.
These experiences lead to studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, more gigging, composing and session work in Chicago, a musical residency in Sri Lanka, as well as touring with renown, Zydeco artist C.J. Chenier.
Making the jump across the pond to Europe in mid-2016, Will begins performing and sharing his dynamic blues sound in Berlin, Germany and throughout Europe. Tours with his own band, collaborations with Hohner-endorsee Marcos Coll (with whom he releases “Takin’ Our Time” ©2019) and gigging with other well-respected EU artists such as Lionel Haas, David “Fingers” Haynes, Breezy Rodio, Martin Stumpf, Stef Rosen, and Gary Wiggins. Within a few short years, Will has logged performances at festivals and clubs in Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the US.
2022 the well-respected Ruf Records label adds Will to their artist roster and immediately inserts him into their Blues Caravan Spring tour alongside Ghalia Volt and Whitney Shea. By November, Ruf Records releases his “Goldfish Blues” album (©2022), which receives strong reviews and garners him new fans online and across the EU and USA.
Currently, Will performs with his band as well as continues to participate with Ally Venable and Ashley Sherlock in the 2023 Rufs Blues Caravan tour.
Whether playing clubs or festivals, working solo or collaborating other world-class musicians, Will strives to bring his energy, creativity and passion to every stage.
