Jacob Umansky is a professional bass player, performer, composer, recording artist, and instructor residing in Long Island, NY. Currently, Jacob is the bass player for the Canadian progressive rock band Intervals.

 

Jacob began learning acoustic guitar at age six and picked up his first bass at age seven. Between ages seven through 18, Jacob studied under the tutelage of bass instructor Mike Frost. Jacob studied music theory, harmony, jazz and contemporary music. During this time Jacob played bass in his elementary, junior high and high school jazz ensembles, chamber orchestras, pit orchestras, All-County jazz bands, as well as starting his own musical projects and spending his weekends gigging at local establishments.

 

During Jacob’s senior year of high school, his jazz ensemble was invited to the High School Jazz Festival at the Berklee College of Music. At the conclusion of his performance, Jacob received the Judges Choice Award and later that afternoon, the Outstanding Musicianship Award for his performance on the upright bass. 

 

In the Fall of 2013, Jacob left Long Island to attend the Berklee College of Music. During his four years at school, Jacob studied with world class musicians and bass players such as the legendary Victor Bailey (Weather Report), Anthony Vitti, Whit Browne (Oscar Peterson), and Lincoln Goines. While studying to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance, Jacob joined the progressive metal band Painted In Exile. During his time with the band, Jacob took part in helping write their first full length LP that was produced by Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me, The Contortionist). Although Jacob’s stint in PIE was short lived, the band was able complete their first US tour opening for Scar Symmetry. Jacob’s work with the band was featured at BassPlayerMagazine.com, Metal Injection and Prog Magazine.

 

Following his graduation in 2017, Jacob joined the Canadian progressive rock band Intervals. Jacob has traveled the world and completed multiple US and European tours. Jacob has had the good fortune to also tour in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Mexico. Intervals has toured alongside acts such as The Contortionist, Animals As Leaders and Veil of Maya. While with Intervals, Jacob has played multiple festivals such as the Download Festival in the UK, Krank’d Up Music Festival in South Africa and Heavy Montreal with bands like Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and Limp Bizkit headlining. 

 

Along with Intervals, Jacob has also been the touring bass player for the blues/rock guitarist Nick Johnston. Jacob has also worked with The Faceless, Aviations, Auras, Zac Tiesen, Marc Malsegna and Keven Eknes. 

 

Since starting his career as a professional musician, Jacob has been fortunate to work with and be endorsed by companies such as Dingwall Guitars, Darkglass Electronics, Gruv Gear, and Neural DSP. In 2018 Jacob was approached by Darkglass and Neural DSP to endorse the company’s products and to produce tutorial videos demonstrating how he uses their products in a live and studio setting. 

 

Listen to Jacob's latest effort on his band JIA's first single "Drift".