I feel like a messenger attempting to spread not only the glorious contributions but some of the philosophies I was privileged to observe at close range.  Now is the vital time to prepare the up and coming generations with the tales of what life was like in the days of these pioneers.  I’ve gotten a master’s degree in humanity from all the artists I worked with.  They were my teachers.”  -- PJ

Phoebe Jacobs’ love for jazz, its meaning and its value, has been with her since days of working as a hat check at seventeen years old at Kelly Stables, a Manhattan jazz nightclub owned by relative, Ralph Warkins.  Phoebe would later go on to work as a promoter, contractor, Public Relations Director, producer of special events at the Rainbow Room and Grill.  She was responsible for the appearances of many prominent artists including Benny Goodman, Sarah Vaughan, Sy Coleman, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald.

Ms. Jacobs is perhaps best known, as publicist for such prominent musicians as Sy Oliver, Peggy Lee and Della Reese.  In addition to contracting and booking Ella and Duke, Phoebe served as their publicists, and worked closely with the late Mercer Ellington to preserve the world’s memory of his father.

For many years Phoebe worked very closely with Louis Armstrong.  She began as a public relations specialist and in 1969 assisted in organizing the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation – according to the great musician’s last wishes.  Phoebe now serves as executive vice-president of the foundation, which among other things helps finance music education programs. 

These programs range from concerts in public schools and libraries to music therapy programs in the pediatric wards of Beth Israel Hospital.  Other projects include support to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Young People’s Concerts directed by Wynton Marsalis. 

Ms. Jacob’s vision led  the foundation to expand its mission of education to Mr. Armstrong’s birth city, New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Armstrong Foundation supports the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp, a three week music education program offered to young music students between 10 and 20 years old and a jazz education graduates program at the University.  The Foundation also contributed toward the restoration of the Armstrong statue in Louis Armstrong Park.   

Mrs. Jacobs has made invaluable contributions to Armstrong’s living legacy, playing an important role in insuring that his contributions are recognized.             In 1995 Mrs. Jacobs efforts to establish the release of a Louis Armstrong postal stamp came to fruition

It is Phoebe’s personal relationship to jazz that fires her commitment to its survival.  She established New York’s original Jazz Museum, the archives of which now reside at the Schomberg Center for Research on Black Culture in Harlem.  She co founded the Jazz Foundation of America and is a trustee for the Society of Singers.

Among Mrs. Jacobs favorite reminiscences are being asked to accompany Lucille Armstrong on a 1974 tour that carried memories of Armstrong’s music to countries behind the Iron Curtain and in 1981 accompanying Eubie Blake to an honorary dinner at the White House by invitation of President Ronald Regan.

Today, Phoebe Jacobs is still reaping the rewards of an amazing life.  She is often called upon by jazz historians as one who knew so many jazz artists – personally and professionally.  Phoebe often serves as a research associate in the jazz program at the Museum of American History, has recently joined the Advisory Council for Lincoln Center’s The Ellington Centennial and the Society of Singers.

Through such commitments to share her unique education and experiences, Phoebe Jacobs has helped assure that vital memories of jazz history and its contributing musicians will always live on.