Jacob was born and raised in Oakland. He has been playing guitar for over 15 years and congas for over 10 years. He teaches guitar, congas, piano, voice and drum set lessons. He went to Berkeley High School where he played guitar in the BHS Jazz Ensemble. He then attended the New School in New York City, majoring in jazz guitar studies.

He has studied guitar with Steve Erquiaga, Dave Creamer and Jack Wilkins, and congas with Josh Jones, Sandy Perez and other Cuban percussionists. He has also studied voice with Jane Sharp and piano with Ellen Wasserman. He has been teaching music since 2001. Jacob was the guitar and conga teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland. Jacob has also been a music instructor with COVA, Art and Soul Music Studios, Hayward Music Center and ALMA. Over the years he has performed with musicians such as Josh Jones, Michael Aaberg, Dayna Stephens, Ambrose Akinmusere, Jonathan Finlayson, Geoff Brennan, and Ray Brown. Mr. Kessel has performed at the Montreux, Umbria, and Vienne Jazz Festivals. He currently plays guitar, congas and sings in a variety of performance settings around the Bay Area.

Jacob is also a music producer and songwriter, as well as a designer. In his spare time he enjoys playing with his dogs and exploring new restaurants and music venues. He also likes studying computer programming.