Raves

“Jake Bergevin and his Javatown Swing Orchestra provided a fantastic performance at the 2021 Edmonds Arts Festival. Patrons were enthusiastically enjoying the music and dancing by the stage. Event organizers received repeated compliments on the selection of songs and quality of a truly professional performance. We look forward to having them back.”

—Tom Allison, Edmonds Arts Festival

ON TEACHING:
“If you’re looking for someone to inspire your band, give them lots to work, and make it fun the whole time, Jake Bergevin is the man! From the moment the clinic started, he had the students engaged and ready to learn. Then in that 45 minutes he packed the clinic full of life lesson and high level musical concepts. It was not only educational for the students but as a teacher I also came away with lots that I could incorporate over the next few weeks. It was a great reminder of some of the bigger, more important things in this music. I can’t recommend him enough!”

—Jacob Kreiger, Mercer Island High School

“Yet for consistent hipness, it’s the cool guy I’ve been warning those women about who wins in the end. Namely, Jake Bergevin, a smooth-jazz lounge singer and muted trumpet player (think Jamie Cullum, Kurt Elling and Chet Baker) heard on ‘Holding Back the Dawn’ (Ocean, B+). Jake got me good with his lyrically enhanced and scatting version of Pat Metheny’s ‘The Sacred Romance’ and anything but ‘How Insensitive.'”

—Jonathon Takiff, Philadelphia Daily News

“With exciting vocals and swinging trumpet, Jake Bergevin presents an eclectic repertoire on his classy CD Holding Back the Dawn and I am personally pleased, as a songwriter, to be included in this satisfying set of music.”

—Bob Dorough

“Jake is a wonder…in this age of doubtful music, especially jazz…he is one of the few newcomers who does it right. Very deep and moving writing.”

—Mark Murphy

“Frank Sinatra and Chet Baker are the prototypes for an intimate approach to romantic ballads but Jake Bergevin makes these songs his own without sounding like either one of them.”

—Jim Wilke

“Jake’s singing is a kick! I’ve heard him wail the pop of Donald Fagen and Steely Dan, the blues of Jimmy Rushing, play and sing great solos and lay back toward Sinatra’s swinging cool. His enthusiasm and versatility are really something to behold! You rock Jake!”

—Kelley Johnson, internationally acclaimed jazz singer

“Exuding confidence … Jake’s cool, breezy voice sounds best on the opening cut ‘Nice n’ Easy’ and his trumpet playing is heard to advantage on ‘All of You.'”

—All About Jazz

“The Elks Temple was packed Saturday night with flying feet and swirling dresses as people moved to the sounds of Jake Bergevin & the Javatown Swing Orchestra.”

—Tim Engstrom, Daily Record