Jeremy Bacon was born into a jazz family. Long before jazz was commercially available, his uncles gathered records and started a “hot club” for those loving the music. Uncle Paul Bacon, the great graphic artist, was one of the founders of Riverside Records, an important independent jazz label in the 50’s and 60’s that recorded artists such as Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins, Blue Mitchell and Kenny Dorham. Paul did the record jacket design for the label and others, including those for his close friend Thelonious Monk. From his early days, Jeremy grew up listening to Monk, Jelly Roll Morton, Miles Davis, Billie Holliday, Art Tatum, among others.
After attending Oberlin College, where he studied jazz improvisation and composition, Jeremy returned to New York City, becoming the closest of the great Don Pullen’s students. Don, a member of Charles Mingus’ last band, was also a major influence on the avant garde scene from the 60’s to the 80’s. When putting a concert together to showcase his talents at The Public Theater, it was Jeremy that Don trusted on piano.
Jeremy was also the regular pianist with the Charles Fambrough Trio, where he worked with Jeff “Tain” Watts, Joe Ford, Johnny Coles, Pat Martino, Mike Mossman, Ralph Bowen and others. Jeremy recorded “Cloud Hands,” his first album as a leader with members of this band. He also lead his own group on two extended tours in Japan, was musical director for Joey Arias’ Billie Holliday show at Carnegie Hall, and working with many singers and instrumentalists including renowned vocalist Queen Esther.
Some more of Jeremy’s credits include playing piano in the Yallopin Hounds with the great alto saxophonist Joey Cavaseno, touring extensively in the US and Europe with the group and recording several albums together. Jeremy has also collaborated with tenor saxophonist Justin Flynn to co-lead the band, Big Train, along with Jeff Ballard on drums and Ugonna Okegwo, recording the critically acclaimed album, “Travels” for Bad Gorilla Records.
Jeremy has performed at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Birdland, Smalls, Mezzrow, Smoke, Minton’s of Harlem, 55 Bar, the Blue Note, Penn State University and many other clubs in and around New York.