Biography
Born in 1977 in Washington, Pennsylvania, Paul Jacobs has become one of the leading figures in organ music. He has served as the chair of Juilliard’s organ department since 2004, guiding a generation of organists through rigorous technique and musical breadth. Jacobs broke ground as the first organist to win a Grammy Award (2011) for the recording Messiaen: Livre du Saint-Sacrement, a testament to his extraordinary ability to grasp complex contemporary scores and render them with spiritual intensity. He is widely praised for memorizing complete organ works by Bach and Messiaen, a feat that underpins his reputation for marathon-length programs that challenge listeners and performers alike.
Discography Highlights
- Organ Concertos (American) — 2024, Naxos
- Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 & Trois Tableaux Symphoniques d'apres La Foi — 2019, Hyperion
- Tales of Hemingway, American Gothic & Once Upon a Castle — 2016, Naxos
- Divine Redeemer — 2015, Naxos
- Ives/Copland Organ Symphony — 2011, Warner Classics
- Livre du Saint-Sacrement — 2010, Naxos
- The Legendary Busoni Recordings — 2000, Arbiter
- Paul Jacobs Plays Bach — 2004, JAV Recordings
Upcoming 2025 Tour
Paul Jacobs will bring his renowned Bach and Messiaen programs to venues across the United States in 2025. Confirmed recitals include stops at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Saint Peter's Lutheran Church in New York, the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in New York, and the Basilica of Saint Mary in Alexandria, VA, with additional performances through November 2025. For full dates and venues, check the event listings and secure your tickets early, as these intimate organ recitals tend to sell quickly.
Social media and official website: stay updated with concert announcements and tour changes. We’ve got you covered with reliable access to all performances and background information.
Official artist links: Paul Jacobs on Facebook, X (Twitter), Official Website.