JACK ROBEN
Jazz Guitarist and Educator
ABOUT
Based in Oakland, California, Jack Roben has performed across the country with artists and ensembles including Eric Reed, Gregory Tardy, Ed Soph, Taber Gable, Drew Zaremba, Sam Reider, Tom Amend, the University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, and the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra.
Raised in the rich jazz scene of Seattle, Washington, Jack was taught the foundations of the music by his father, Andy, who is himself a jazz pianist and organist. He attended Edmonds-Woodway High School, where he was mentored by Jake Bergevin, a renowned educator in the area. Jack’s accolades from his time in Seattle include membership in the 2013 NAFME All-Northwest Jazz Band and participating the 2013 Essentially Ellington competition in New York City.
Jack then moved to Denton, Texas to study at the University of North Texas, where he received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies (2017). During his time at UNT Jack was a member of many ensembles including the Grammy nominated One O’Clock Lab Band. As a member of the One O’Clock he headlined at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival, performed with Stefon Harris, and is featured on the recording Lab 2017.
Jack continued his studies at the University of Northern Colorado, where he received a Master of Music (2020) and was a Graduate Teaching Assistant. As a member of UNC Lab I, Jack participated in the Jack Rudin Jazz Championship at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, where he received the “Outstanding Guitar” award.
In 2020 Jack relocated to Knoxville, Tennessee to become the Lecturer of Jazz Guitar at the University of Tennessee, where for three years he taught private lessons, jazz theory, jazz improvisation, graduate jazz seminar, and directed small ensembles.
Since moving to California in 2023, Jack has performed with local musicians including Sam Reider, Guilio Xavier Cetto, Adam Shulman, Steven Lugerner, John Wiitala, and Michael Mitchell at venues including the Fillmore Jazz Festival, Stanford Jazz Festival, Mr. Tipple’s, and Golden Gate Park. He has continued to be an active educator working with the Stanford Jazz Workshop and in the Oakland Unified School District.
