Jake Hertzog

 

Guitar Player Magazine is calling him “…the blazing wunderkind.” The Boston Phoenix has declared him “…the WOW! factor.” Award-winning jazz guitarist and composer, Jake Hertzog, is making it big in New York City. Jake’s second studio album, Patterns, just released this April 2010, has been chosen as Guitar Player Magazine’s Editor’s Pick and has been quickly gaining international regard.

Jake’s debut album, Chromatosphere (2009), brought him critical acclaim including a five page interview in  Guitar Player Magazine (June 2009) highlighting his unique technique and approach to modern jazz guitar. Both albums are recorded and produced by Grammy Award-winner, Joshua Paul Thompson.
Under the alias Hey Jazz Guy, Jake is a monthly contributor to Guitar Player Magazine’s ‘Lessons’ section. He has been coined as the Jazz ambassador to the non-jazz world.

For three years, Jake stood as musical director, lead guitarist and mentor for Nickelodeon’s The Naked Brothers Band stars, Nat and Alex Wolff. They concluded two national tours and have performed on national television shows including Good Morning America, The View, Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, The Today Show and many others.

Past achievements include winning the Grand Prize in 2006 for the Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition in Switzerland. Jake holds title at 20 years old as the youngest ever prize winner in the competitions history. He was invited back in 2007 to showcase his original music in the Montreux Jazz Festival. Jake is an alum of the prestigious Berklee College of Music and recipient of several performance scholarships.

Jake is currently active with “The Young Presidents”, an all original rock band that just released their first single “Wide Open”, full record to be expected this summer, and putting out a third jazz album, expected fall 2011.