The United States isn’t the only one campaigning for commander-in-chief this November—Percussive Arts Society, one of the world’s largest percussion organizations, welcomes its new executive director, Larry Jacobson.
“I’m looking forward to getting together with the board and the staff,” Jacobson says. “My goal is continue to work on what they’ve been doing, educating the membership and inspiring them.”
Jacobson comes to PAS from Universal Music Group, where he worked for 22 years, most recently as the North American vice president of financial services.
Throughout his career in the music industry, he has worked with artists such as Sean “Diddy” Combs, Mary J. Blige, Elton John, Sublime and Meat Loaf as well as on films such as “Pulp Fiction,” “This Is Spinal Tap” and “Leap of Faith.”
“I had been speaking and lecturing at universities and had considered retiring from the music industry,” Jacobson says. “I wanted to get more involved in the creative side of things. I think this is going to be an exciting, challenging and fun opportunity.”
Inspired by his high school drum instructor, Jacobson decided to continue with music through college at the University of Maryland, where he joined the marching band and became president of his Kappa Kappa Psi chapter.
Jacobson holds a bachelor of music degree in percussion performance, master of music degrees in both Jazz Studies and Percussion Performance from Indiana University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University.
He is currently a doctoral candidate pursuing an EdD in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University, examining the effects of public school music education programs on leadership in the workplace.
PAS is a not-for-profit music service organization that promotes percussion education, research, performance and appreciation throughout the world. Jacobson will also oversee the Rhythm! Discovery Center.
“There’s a great opportunity to inspire,” he says. “It’s a great opportunity for me to be around so many creative people, and I’m going to have a great time learning.”
For more information, visit www.pas.org.
