Jacob Garbus started as a gifted flute player before picking up the tenor saxophone to join his high school’s jazz band.

As a student in the Annandale Jazz Ambassadors, he travelled and performed internationally in The Republic of Turkey, Japan, Spain, and Mexico. He later joined the group as an instructor and assistant director, performing and touring with them locally and in Vietnam, Senegal, and Ireland. 

He earned his bachelor’s degree in music from SUNY Purchase College in New York. During his studies he performed with the Purchase Latin Jazz Orchestra directed by David Dejesus, and the Purchase Jazz Orchestra directed by Todd Coolman and Jon Faddis at venues such as The Nuyorican Poets Cafe, and The Blue Note NYC. Jacob now resides in Alexandria VA, where he works as an instructional assistant in the music department of NOVA Community College, teaches music lessons, and performs with the Doc Dikeman Big Band.