Jacob Gorzhaltsan is a Juno-nominated multi-instrumentalist, composer, and singer-songwriter/producer based in Toronto, Ontario. Born in Jerusalem, Israel to parents who are both visual artists, Jacob moved to Canada and (with his parent's encouragement) began studying music shortly afterwards. Early on in his musical pursuits, Jacob was fortunate to attend a workshop and play with his jazz clarinet-hero, the legendary Buddy DeFranco. This moment continues to serve as a huge musical inspiration for Jacob. Subsequently, he joined the student jazz band, Toronto All-Star Big Band, further developing his love for performance and delving deeper into the jazz tradition. During his tenure with TABB, Jacob was fortunate to get the opportunity to perform with Peter Appleyard and Doc Severinson. He studied privately with a plethora of local Toronto musicians, and enjoyed four years at Humber College's B.A. of Music program. While at Humber, Jacob was honoured to share the stage with special resident-guests like Donny McCaslin, John Scofield, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Dobbins, Joe Lovano, Will Kennedy, The New York Voices, and Larry Goldings.
He now performs and records professionally as a sideman with numerous groups in Toronto, and leads several bands of his own (Wide Arches, The Jellyfish, JG Quartet). Throughout his career, Jacob has played in countless venues and theatres across Canada and the United States. He has had the pleasure of being a part of an incredible cast and crew for concert productions/recordings with Soulpepper Theatre Company (Promised Land: Steinbeck Through Song, A Moveable Feast: Paris in the '20s, The Secret Chord: A Leonard Cohen Experience, The 27 Club, Prohibition: The Concert, Manhattan Concert Cycle: Melting Pot, Harlem, 42nd Street and Broadway, Detroit: Music of Motor City, On A Night Like This). He is honoured to have shared the stage with Jackie Richardson, Denzal Sinclaire, Kevin Breit, Stephane Wrembel, Noam Lemish and Amos Hoffman Quartet, Alex Bird and the Jazz Mavericks, Pedram Khavarzamini, Kalyna Rakel, The Israeli-Iranian Music Initiative, Heavyweights Brass Band, Holla Jazz Collective, Travis Knights, Mike Ross, Divine Brown, Denielle Bassels, Big Rude Jake, among many other talented and inspiring folk.
In 2021, Jacob was awarded a Toronto Arts Council grant to record a full-length album of original material. He released the record, "Farewell to All the Lovely Things", with his indie-folk band Wide Arches on September 12th, 2023. The album has been garnering much attention, receiving warm reviews from critics and charting nine times on Canadian college-radio (CFBX, CJSF, CICK, CJAM, CFRC) including three top 10 appearances.
Jacob can be seen and heard regularly playing at venues all around Toronto and the surrounding-area. In addition to performing extensively, Jacob is an active producer/recording-mixing engineer. His independent record label, Parpar Records, most recently released a new EP by local band, Yosl and the Yingels. As well, Jacob is an active music educator, and privately teaches woodwinds, improvisation, and music theory.
Check out Jacob's full discocraphy, as well as assorted press/accolades, in the tab above.
He now performs and records professionally as a sideman with numerous groups in Toronto, and leads several bands of his own (Wide Arches, The Jellyfish, JG Quartet). Throughout his career, Jacob has played in countless venues and theatres across Canada and the United States. He has had the pleasure of being a part of an incredible cast and crew for concert productions/recordings with Soulpepper Theatre Company (Promised Land: Steinbeck Through Song, A Moveable Feast: Paris in the '20s, The Secret Chord: A Leonard Cohen Experience, The 27 Club, Prohibition: The Concert, Manhattan Concert Cycle: Melting Pot, Harlem, 42nd Street and Broadway, Detroit: Music of Motor City, On A Night Like This). He is honoured to have shared the stage with Jackie Richardson, Denzal Sinclaire, Kevin Breit, Stephane Wrembel, Noam Lemish and Amos Hoffman Quartet, Alex Bird and the Jazz Mavericks, Pedram Khavarzamini, Kalyna Rakel, The Israeli-Iranian Music Initiative, Heavyweights Brass Band, Holla Jazz Collective, Travis Knights, Mike Ross, Divine Brown, Denielle Bassels, Big Rude Jake, among many other talented and inspiring folk.
In 2021, Jacob was awarded a Toronto Arts Council grant to record a full-length album of original material. He released the record, "Farewell to All the Lovely Things", with his indie-folk band Wide Arches on September 12th, 2023. The album has been garnering much attention, receiving warm reviews from critics and charting nine times on Canadian college-radio (CFBX, CJSF, CICK, CJAM, CFRC) including three top 10 appearances.
Jacob can be seen and heard regularly playing at venues all around Toronto and the surrounding-area. In addition to performing extensively, Jacob is an active producer/recording-mixing engineer. His independent record label, Parpar Records, most recently released a new EP by local band, Yosl and the Yingels. As well, Jacob is an active music educator, and privately teaches woodwinds, improvisation, and music theory.
Check out Jacob's full discocraphy, as well as assorted press/accolades, in the tab above.
