80s Anthems, Late-Night Jazz Style
Take the iconic sounds of the 80s and drop them into a late-night NYC jazz session. Saxophone, upright bass, and electric guitar twist the music of Tears for Fears, U2, Simple Minds, Tom Petty, Prince, and George Michael into moody instrumental grooves. The melodies you know float over deep bass lines, smoky sax solos, and cinematic guitar textures. It’s familiar music, but it feels brand new.
"I can't stop listening… has to be the sexiest sounding song I've ever heard... *sigh* I think I love you..." - a Fan
ABOUT Evil Jazz
A Unique Twist on Iconic 80s Hits
The biggest songs of the 80s, run through a smoky downtown jazz club.
Guitar, upright bass, and saxophone transform the music of U2, Tears for Fears, Simple Minds, Prince, Tom Petty, and George Michael into hypnotic instrumental grooves.
Featuring Mike Jacobs (guitar) of NYC rock band Evil Jake (MTV, national radio, Jack Black’s School of Rock), Michael Feinberg (upright bass) with credits including John Scofield, Dave Liebman, and Jonathan Batiste and Thomas Hutchings (saxophone), a NYC saxophonist and producer whose work has appeared on CBS, E!, and MTV, with performances ranging from Carnegie Hall to downtown NYC clubs.
The songs are familiar.
The sound is completely new.
CALMCORE
Alongside their reinterpretations of 80s classics, the trio is also exploring a sound they call CalmCore — a late-night blend of groove, atmosphere, and improvisation. Built from hypnotic bass lines, drifting sax melodies, and shimmering guitar textures, CalmCore pieces unfold slowly, letting the music breathe and evolve in real time. The result sits somewhere between a jazz session, a cinematic soundtrack, and an ambient jam — immersive, spacious, and perfectly suited for the late night.
MEET THE BAND
Mike Jacobs (guitar)
Guitarist and songwriter behind NYC rock band Evil Jake, whose music earned MTV airplay, national radio play, and a placement in Jack Black’s School of Rock. Known for his melodic phrasing and expressive tone, Jacobs brings a rock guitarist’s edge and a deep love of improvisation to Evil Jazz.
"great instrumentation from this guitar virtuoso" - lycos
https://eviljake.com/mike-jacobs
Michael Feinberg (upright bass)
Acclaimed New York bassist whose playing moves easily between modern jazz, groove, and open improvisation. His credits include work with John Scofield, Dave Liebman, and Jonathan Batiste, and his deep pocket and resonant tone form the rhythmic foundation of the trio.
"musical prodigy turned evil genius" - spinner
Thomas Hutchings (sax)
NYC saxophonist, producer, and educator whose work spans jazz, funk, and pop. His playing and productions have appeared on CBS, E!, and MTV, and he has performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to downtown New York clubs.
“I just want to say that Thomas Hutchings is the dope-T-fied bomb .com That is all.” - Felicia Collins
Gallery
Where 80s anthems meet midnight jazz magic.
Experience the hypnotic groove on songs like...
Bill Withers – Ain’t No Sunshine
Bill Withers – Just the Two of Us
Chris Isaak – Wicked Game
Evil Jake – Kiss or Kill
George Michael – Careless Whisper
Jimi Hendrix – All Along the Watchtower
Joe Cocker – With a Little Help from My Friends
Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah
Prince – Let’s Go Crazy
Rolling Stones – Miss You
Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely
Stevie Wonder – Isn’t She Lovely
Stevie Wonder – Superstition
Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Tom Petty – Breakdown
U2 – With or Without You
Van Morrison – Moondance
ZZ Top – Tush
Billy Jean / You Give Love a Bad Name
INXS – Never Tear Us Apart
Simple Minds – Don’t You (Forget About Me)
Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf
Springsteen - I'm on Fire
Stevie Nicks – Edge of Seventeen
Plus lots of fun interludes thrown in - Hendrix, Jack White, Black Sabbath, etc…