We are experiencing a surge in musical talent in Sebastian, more so than in the recent past. This growth provides numerous opportunities for aspiring musicians. Among these opportunities is the arrival of a new drummer in town, who is not only a seasoned musician but also a licensed educator in three states.
Evan Jacobson, a proficient drummer and teacher, relocated to Sebastian six months ago and now offers drumming lessons. Jacobson, fluent in English and Spanish, brings over 40 years of teaching experience and caters to students of all ages and skill levels.
His presence in the local music scene is already noticeable. Jacobson actively participates in local jam sessions and often steps in as a substitute drummer for various bands. Jacobson’s arrival presents a perfect opportunity for those interested in learning to play the drums.
Jacobson shared his story with Sebastian Daily and his musical beginnings, which started at the age of 9 with piano lessons. However, his true aspiration was to be a drummer, a dream heavily influenced by Stewart Copeland from The Police.
Jacobson recalled a critical moment during a summer camp in New Jersey in the early 80s. A counselor named Pete introduced him to Modern Drummer Magazine featuring Stewart Copeland. Pete played songs like “Roxanne,” “Walking On The Moon,” and “Message In A Bottle” on his Sony Cassette Player, which left a lasting impact on Jacobson.
The sound and Copeland’s innovative drumming captivated Jacobson. He was further inspired by the counselor’s band, which covered a broad spectrum of music, including hits from The Police, The Eagles, The Beatles, and other classic rock bands. This exposure motivated Jacobson to form his first band, Omega, in high school, playing songs by The Police, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin.
A significant moment in Jacobson’s journey was attending The Police’s Synchronicity Tour at Shea Stadium (now Citi Field) in the 80s, which solidified his determination to pursue drumming. He began taking drum lessons with Joe Bedford from the NY/NJ area, crediting Bedford and other teachers and famous drummers for profoundly influencing his life. Now, 41 years later, Jacobson reflects on a fulfilling drumming career that continues to evolve.
After graduating high school in 1986, Jacobson briefly enrolled at The College of Staten Island (CUNY) and became a jazz disc jockey at 88.9 WSIA FM Radio Station. This role kept him in touch with the New York City music scene. Jacobson immersed himself in the industry by attending numerous shows, clinics, and master classes and played in various cover and original bands.
Jacobson then attended SUNY Oswego, where he joined two influential bands: Street Talk and Mending Wall. Street Talk focused on smooth jazz and fusion, while Mending Wall covered a range of artists, including RUSH, The Who, The Police, The Cult, U2, and Pink Floyd.
He graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Communications, after which he briefly moved to Cooper City, Florida. There, he interned as an audio engineer at After Hours Recording Studio under the guidance of legendary engineer Dennis Hetzendorfer, known for his work with Firefall and The Bee Gees. Around 1992, after this experience, Jacobson pursued a Master’s Degree in Music at Radford University. His master’s thesis explored the integration of drumset technology, focusing on sampling and using triggers to replicate electronic 80s sounds.
Post-graduation, Jacobson joined GT SWING and toured extensively across Virginia and South Carolina. One of his most memorable performances was playing twice on July 4th to an audience of 40,000 people alongside the Roanoke Symphony and GT SWING.
However, Gene Thomas of GT SWING sadly passed away, leading to a change in the group’s musical direction. Jacobson faced a turning point in his career as opportunities began to dwindle. In December of 1999, he met the woman who would become his wife, prompting a move to Seattle, Washington. During this time, he re-entered academia to earn a second Master’s Degree in Teaching from Western Washington University.
In 2003, Jacobson was presented with several teaching opportunities in New York City. He relocated back to the East Coast, settling in New Jersey. He taught middle school students in Manhattan and the Bronx, while also continuing to tour and record music with various groups.
By 2010, Jacobson and his wife moved to Maryland. There, he embarked on a new teaching journey, focusing on student-led rock bands. He actively wrote grants to acquire sound equipment and musical instruments for his students and continued performing in bands, playing both covers and original music.
In 2022, Jacobson decided to move closer to family and settle in Florida. During his journey to Florida on the Amtrak Auto Train, he had a memorable conversation with a woman from Sebastian. She shared insights about the local music scene, the community, and the Lagoon.
Interestingly, Jacobson’s wife mentioned that several of their former Maryland colleagues had also relocated to Vero Beach, further cementing their decision to move to the area.
“My parents are in Delray Beach, and my in-laws are near Miami. I wanted to be fairly close to them, but I didn’t want to return to Miami. It was cool in the 90s, but I want something more laid back–a thriving music scene, too. After having that conversation with the woman on the train, I took that as a sign from the universe. A rental opened up in Sebastian; we made the move about 6 months ago. I attended my first Dave Scott Jam at the Tiki, but didn’t play. I was overwhelmed at first. However, other musicians encouraged me to break in slowly. I went to the Tuesday Night Jam at CC’s Wine Bar, and played. Despite my intense nervousness, everybody was so kind and supportive. Then, I returned to the Dave Scott Jam and played. From there, things started to take off very quickly. Now, I’m subbing in about 4 bands, and getting established. The plan is to continue with musical goals: Connect with musicians, perform as much as possible, and teach private drum lessons,” he said.
Jacobson said he’s a nerdy and ambitious guy who loves to absorb information. He enjoys sharing his experience with other people. He says teaching children and adults is the best way to share what he knows and help others reach their musical goals.
Jacobson is currently performing with a local band, The Thom Parks Group. The band has performed at various venues in the area, including Earl’s Hideaway Lounge, The Tiki Bar, and Filthy’s.
If learning drums is something you’re interested in, you can find out more about it by clicking here. Or, you can call 301-525-7595 or email evanj48drum@gmail.com.
