Jacob Merlin
Portland, Oregon, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
"Nutty frat boy fun that genre bends so many different sounds you can’t quite put your finger on what it is you are hearing at any given moment. With a mix of Memphis and Nawlins running over a patina of soul show band, Merlin has a big dose of Preservation Hall mixed into his personal soul but it’s simmered with a whole lot of other stuff to keep this on the far side of old timey. Grab a PBR and the good times flow." – Midwest Record Chicago, IL - Midwest Records
"Nutty frat boy fun that genre bends so many different sounds you can’t quite put your finger on what it is you are hearing at any given moment. With a mix of Memphis and Nawlins running over a patina of soul show band, Merlin has a big dose of Preservation Hall mixed into his personal soul but it’s simmered with a whole lot of other stuff to keep this on the far side of old timey. Grab a PBR and the good times flow." – Midwest Record Chicago, IL - Midwest Records
The Bite of Seattle
"The Jacob Merlin Band, an original band out of Portland came out to the KJR Fountain Lawn Stage at 5:00 and blew the crowd away with some New Orleans, Memphis and Oakland style funk influenced by legendary groups, like Tower of Power, Little Feat, The Meters and a lot more." - Seattle Examiner
- Seattle Examiner
The Bite of Seattle
"The Jacob Merlin Band, an original band out of Portland came out to the KJR Fountain Lawn Stage at 5:00 and blew the crowd away with some New Orleans, Memphis and Oakland style funk influenced by legendary groups, like Tower of Power, Little Feat, The Meters and a lot more." - Seattle Examiner
- Seattle Examiner
" After hearing "Alchemy Of Soul" and the incendiary groove it sets up, we guarantee you'll be up and dancing at the first note!" - Nashville Blues Society
"Alchemy of Soul is a delightful disc that will bring to mind those heady days of the 70’s, when funk and soul ruled supreme on the airwaves. If you remember those days fondly, you owe it to yourself to check out this album."- Phoenix Blues Society
" This is definitely old school stuff that'll be attracting lots of new ears, as the template for a sound so drenched was almost lost not long ago." - Peterborough Folk Music Society Acousticmusic.com
- Multiple Music Societies
" After hearing "Alchemy Of Soul" and the incendiary groove it sets up, we guarantee you'll be up and dancing at the first note!" - Nashville Blues Society
"Alchemy of Soul is a delightful disc that will bring to mind those heady days of the 70’s, when funk and soul ruled supreme on the airwaves. If you remember those days fondly, you owe it to yourself to check out this album."- Phoenix Blues Society
" This is definitely old school stuff that'll be attracting lots of new ears, as the template for a sound so drenched was almost lost not long ago." - Peterborough Folk Music Society Acousticmusic.com
- Multiple Music Societies
"Local favorites, The Jacob Merlin Band began the festivities with a bang. With the full complement of horns, JMB got everyone’s attention right away with a funk fueled musical rampage on Berbati’s sparse stage. Elbow to elbow, they blasted through a dynamic set anchored by Merlin’s hard rock honky tonk piano playing and gritty tenor. The ever crowding bar patrons all turned and boogied right along. With the right mix of witty lyrics, bright musicality and brass (literally) the Jacob Merlin Band showed why they have been growing in popularity around
town.
- Kink FM
"Local favorites, The Jacob Merlin Band began the festivities with a bang. With the full complement of horns, JMB got everyone’s attention right away with a funk fueled musical rampage on Berbati’s sparse stage. Elbow to elbow, they blasted through a dynamic set anchored by Merlin’s hard rock honky tonk piano playing and gritty tenor. The ever crowding bar patrons all turned and boogied right along. With the right mix of witty lyrics, bright musicality and brass (literally) the Jacob Merlin Band showed why they have been growing in popularity around
town.
- Kink FM
Contact: Anne O’Brien FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LVD Media
503-421-7447
Email: annie@lvdmedia.com
JACOB MERLIN CONTINUES BRIDGEPORT TOUR
The Rising Rock Group’s Tour Culminates in New Year’s Eve CD Release Party
PORTLAND, Ore. (December 23, 2005) – The Jacob Merlin continues its successful tour, sponsored by local brewery BridgePort Brewing. The regional tour started at the Dublin Pub Thursday evening, with a video taping of the group’s stellar live performance.
The BridgePort Tour continues tonight, 12/23/05, at The Buffalo Gap (6835 S.W. Macadam Ave., 503-244-7111). There is no cover charge, and the BridgePort Girls will be there, handing out door prizes and announcing beer specials. It culminates with a rockin’ New Year’s Eve show and CD release at Malone’s (14709 S.W. Teal Blvd, 503-579-3663 The band celebrates the release of its debut CD, “Simple Threads,” a disc that promises to put them on the map.
The Jacob Merlin deftly mixes rock, soul, jazz, funk and R&B for an infectious sound that gets people on the dance floor and keeps them there. They combine elements of Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Steely Dan and Radiohead into an original sound, all propelled by Merlin’s fiery piano and rich, growling voice.
The Jacob Merlin welcomes all clubs and festivals for booking. Please contact booking@jacobmerlin.com for booking information, or visit the website at www.jacobmerlin.com.
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- LVD Media
Discography
Jacob Merlin: Simple Threads (iTunes, Amazon.com)
Jacob Merlin: Alchemy of Soul EP (iTunes, Amazon.com)
Jacob Merlin: Alchemy of Soul LP (iTunes, Amazon.com)
Jacob Merlin : Live @ Jimmy Mak's
Jacob Merlin: Live Concert DVD '11
Photos
Bio
Jacob Merlin is a Portland Native who learned to tickle the ivories at the wholesome age of four. Brought up on both classical and jazz standards, Jacob began to develop his music ability in composition, orchestration, and performance throughout his high school and college years. In 2000, Jacob moved to Nashville and immersed himself in the city’s music scene. With a newfound confidence and exposure to the music industry, he returned to Portland to start a band of original funk and rock inspired music. He found a city teeming with local talent and ready for something new.
Establishing his base and his brand, JM has worked with many charities and organizations from all over the Pacific Northwest. He’s performed at benefits for Doernbecher’s Children’s Hospital, Abertina Kerr, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Race for the Cure, and many others. Recently, the band shot a music video with the Portland Trail Blazers as they performed their version of the Blazer’s theme song! Jacob has also worked with bands The Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Storm Large, Tim Reynolds, and Mic Gillette, and has worked with organizations like the Portland Winterhawks, KINK FM, KMHD FM, KGON FM, and radio stations up and down the west coast as well as being featured on CBS’ Live Studio 6. Last summer, the JM band broke into Seattle and was featured in the Seattle Examiner after performing for the Bite of Seattle, one of the city’s largest festivals.
Jacob Merlin’s show is an experience that you have to see to believe. With the traction they have in the Northwest, they are quickly branching into new markets and finding new fans across the country. It’s no stretch to say that Jacob Merlin will be a household name and we will say, “I knew him when…”!
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