Three-time Emmy® nominated composer, Danny Jacob has raised the bar for commercial success in television animation music. Influenced by his experience as a world-class guitar player, Jacob bridges the worlds of score and song. As composer for Disney Channel’s Milo Murphy’s Law and the mega-hit animated series, Phineas and Ferb, Jacob’s musical style spans the roots of rock and R&B to classical and beyond the edge of contemporary.
Jacob’s collaborative work with Phineas and Ferb creators, Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh and with Sofia The First songwriters, John Kavanaugh and Craig Gerber has resulted in multiple Emmy nominations.
Recently, Jacob produced “Waiting in the Wings”, winner of a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Original Song, for songwriter, Alan Menken and lyricist, Glenn Slater. The song was composed for Disney Channel’s Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure in 2019.
In 2014, Jacob’s song production skills also contributed to Sofia The First winning the Daytime Emmy® for Outstanding Song Main Title.
As composer, Jacob received two nominations in 2010 for the Daytime Emmy® in Outstanding Achievement In Music Direction And Composition (Composer) and Outstanding Original Song – Children’s Animation “Come Home Perry” (Co-Composer/Producer). In 2008, Jacob’s collaborative work, garnered him the prestigious Primetime Emmy® Nomination for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, “I Ain’t Got Rhythm”.
Inspired by Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin, Jacob first picked up the guitar when he was 13-years-old. By the time he was fifteen, he formed his own bands, performing in local bars and clubs in Los Angeles. “I’m a rock and funk guitarist,” Jacob said. “I’ve made a living as a player since I was a teenager growing up in the San Fernando Valley. I did everything from playing locals bars and bar mitzvahs to stadiums around the world”. Indeed, major recording artists, Tower of Power, Chaka Kahn, Bette Midler and George Michael hired Jacob as their featured guitarist for worldwide tours. It was only a matter of time before he began collaborating with one of Hollywood’s most innovative artists, Oscar® winning composer, Hans Zimmer. During DreamWorks’ founding years, Zimmer and Jacob worked together on Elton John’s Road to El Dorado. This led to his work as a featured guitarist with score composers Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell on the Academy Award® winning film, Shrek. Jacob arranged and co-produced Eddie Murphy’s “I’m A Believer” from the multi-platinum soundtrack album. This opened the way to a newfound career. “Moving into animation has been especially fulfilling,” Jacob says.
Jacob’s main title songs and signature themes continue to air on the Disney Channel’s Lilo and Stitch, The Emperor’s New School, Kim Possible, Sonny With A Chance, and Warner Bros’ Jackie Chan’s Adventures. As featured guitarist, Jacob has performed on the triple crown of awarded projects; on Shrek which won the Oscar® for Best Animated Picture, on the Emmy® winning Bette Midler HBO Concert Diva Las Vegas and on the Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin’s, “Heaven Help Us”, which won the Grammy® for Best Duet.
New music by Jacob will be featured in the upcoming feature, Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe, premiering on Disney Plus on August 28th.
A California native, Jacob proudly resides in Los Angeles.
