The Jacob Larson Band is a 10 piece funk and soul ensemble combining powerhouse vocals, classic instrumentation and an old-school approach to music. Digging inspiration from the roots of soul religion, the band shares their own take on notable influences such as Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, and Earth, Wind, and Fire.
Jacob, an experienced entertainer with a strong and soulful voice, leads the band with true dynamic flair and presence, delivering the goods with a performance that moves and excites concert-goers of all ages.
In March of 2020, Jacob Larson was hospitalized for COVID-19. After a trying time in the ICU on and off of a ventilator, it was unclear whether Jacob's vocal cords would ever be the same. However, after months of rest and retraining, his voice came back to its full form and he was able to perform for the doctors that saved his life at UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital in August of 2021. Jacob’s bandmates, friends, and family “‘helped [him] see that light at the end of the tunnel… getting back to singing live was [his] absolute goal’” (UCHealth Today).
The band has taken back the stage since Jacob's recovery with their upbeat performances of songs from bands Chic, Bee Gees, Ohio Players, and many others, while also writing and recording some original tunes. They've followed up their debut EP Aftershock with a full length album consisting of ten original songs. Totally Legal is proof that funk is still alive and thriving in 2023.
Photo by Anton Pinkerton
“This guy's voice is uncanny. It's larger than his body by about 6 feet. He can noodle and scoop like the best of the pop singers, but it's the meat and rich tone of his voice that you remember. It's like ... Disney prince quality.”
Steve Langemo
guitarist
Steve Langemo is a versatile guitar player, composer, and instructor based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Steve first picked up the guitar at age twelve and was working steadily in cover bands and teaching lessons while earning bachelor's degree in guitar performance from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a master’s degree in jazz guitar performance from Bowling Green State University. Steve gigged and taught in the Cincinnati area for ten years until relocating to Colorado in 2012. Steve currently maintains a schedule of over a hundred live dates per year with various groups and artists in a range of musical styles, works as a session musician, and owns and operates the Colorado Springs Guitar Studio where he maintains a full-time schedule of private students.
As a solo artist Steve has released three full-length albums of original jazz/funk/fusion material, Out Loud in 2008, There to Here in 2018, and Up From The Outside in 2022. The most recent release Up From The Outside features a great band made up of Colorado musicians and was released on the Pennsylvania based label Guitar One Records.
Stefan Flores
Drummer
Stefan Flores is an in-demand drummer of the Colorado music scene. He is a founding member of the critically acclaimed band Titan Force, which still plays in Europe to this day. His abilities are as varied as his influences. He’s proud to be known as a chameleon, being versed in as many different styles as he’s known for. He’s been privileged to study with some of the greatest drummers and teachers in the world!
Eduardo “Bijoux” Barbosa
Bassist
Eduardo “Bijoux” Barbosa is a bassist/composer/ arranger and was born in Sao Paulo-Brazil where he studied music with Professor Nadir Dos Santos. He also studied double bass with Carlos Verenzuela.
In 1997, Bijoux moved to Denver. Since arriving in Denver, he has been very busy performing both on double bass and electric bass. He is also one of the top studio musicians in Colorado and has been on over 1200 recording sessions.
Eduardo “Bijoux” Barbosa has performed with a wide array of stars: Herbie Mann, Dave Grusin, Don Grusin, Bryan Lynch, Russell Ferrante, Chuck Loab, Gerald Albright and Lee Ritenour, Ron Blake, Paul McAndles, Jaleel shaw, Donald Harrison, Lannie Garrett (Colorado Hall of Fame), Colorado Symphony, Dallas Symphony Orchestra to name a few. Currently, Bijoux performs with just about every local jazz musician and many of the touring jazz soloists who stop in Denver.
Bijoux is also very involved in musical education in Colorado and teaches for the Thompson Jazz Studies at the College of music at University of Colorado, for the Lamont School of Music at theUniversity of Denver and for CCJA - Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts.
As a composer his music has been featured on Tv shows such as HBO Real Sex (HBO), to Wonderdog (Animal Planet), Man Vs Food (Travel Channel), and others.
Ian Ferguson
Keyboardist
Ian Ferguson is multi-instrumentalist/vocalist, producer, and educator based in Colorado Springs. Ian recently received his master’s in music production from the Berklee School of Music and is a former adjunct professor of the Alexander Technique at the University of Denver in the Lamont School of Music. Currently, Ian teaches music at Ute Pass Elementary in Green Mountain Falls and is one of the most highly demanded pianists in the region, playing a wide variety of genres including funk, jazz, hard bop, folk, and ska, among many others.