Tom Jacobs

Tom Jacobs is a former senior staff writer for Santa Barbara-based Pacific Standard magazine, and a former staff writer for the Los Angeles Daily News and Santa Barbara News-Press. He tracks and analyzes trends in the arts and social sciences, with an emphasis on psychology, the role of culture and the cultivation of creativity. A native of Chicago, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Northwestern University.

Articles By This Author

Tom Jacobs - March 20, 2021

The troubled conductor died March 9, four years after his fabled career ended in scandal over allegations of sexual misconduct.

Tom Jacobs - February 16, 2021

Jake Broder’s UnRavelled explores the relationship of creativity and dementia via the landmark composition and the painting it inspired.

Tom Jacobs - February 13, 2021

Jake Broder’s UnRavelled explores the relationship of creativity and dementia via the landmark composition and the painting it inspired.

Tom Jacobs - January 18, 2021

Arts organizations are flush with fresh ideas about how the arts can be central to rebuilding America’s economy and sense of community.

Tom Jacobs - December 1, 2020

Ambitious plans to make the conservatory fully equipped for remote collaboration get the intense focus only a pandemic could provide.

Tom Jacobs - June 30, 2017

Patrick Posey, Music Academy of the West's executive director, tells us how he renewed the 70-year-old festival through contemporary music.

Tom Jacobs - February 2, 2017

Bruckner Orchestra Linz’ music director chats about working with the legendary composer, and conducting.

Tom Jacobs - November 19, 2013

Finding inspiration in history and pop culture, composer Michael Daugherty launches a new work for strings, provoked by Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural style.

Tom Jacobs - November 6, 2013

When playing Mozart works, pianist Jeremy Denk finds himself fascinated with the boundary he crosses between light and dark, but always follows their beauty and wonder.

Tom Jacobs - October 7, 2013

It has been an eventful couple of years for bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, professionally and personally. Now, he is back at the S.F. Opera for the first time in over a decade, in one of his signature roles, Verdi’s Falstaff.