Phoebe Jacobs (June 21, 1918 - April 9, 2012) was born in the Bronx, NY as an only child. Her father, Hyman Pincus, was a bootlegger and a gambler. Jacobs grew up in a musical family and was introduced to outstanding musicianship as well as the world of music business at an early age. An uncle her mother's side, Ralph Watkins, was the successful owner of several prominent music nightclubs, one of which included "Kelly's Stables" on 52nd St. in Manhattan. At the age of 17, Jacobs began working in hatcheck at Kelly's Stables, where she became acquainted with artists such as Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, and Sy Oliver. Later on, Sy Oliver helped Jacobs obtain a position as a contractor and record executive for Decca Records. She continued to work with her uncle, Ralph Watkins, when he became the co-owner of the Basin St. East nightclub.
Jacobs eventually became the director of public relations and the producer of special events at the Rainbow Room and Rainbow Grill at Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan. There, she was responsible for many performances by musicians such as Benny Goodman, Sarah Vaughn, Cy Coleman, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton, Bobby Hackett, and others. Gradually, by word of mouth, Jacobs's reputation as trustworthy and dependable circulated to other notable jazz musicians, such as Louis Armstrong.
Phoebe Jacobs came to develop an active career as a publicist and public relations consultant. She worked most closely with Louis and Lucille Armstrong, Della Reese, Sy Oliver, Ella Fitzgerald, Eubie Blake, Benny Goodman, Duke and Mercer Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, "Jabbo" Smith, and Peggy Lee.
Beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Jacobs became especially close with Louis and Lucille Armstrong. Following Louis Armstrong's wishes, in 1969, she began organizing the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, where she served as Executive Vice President. The Foundation helped to support music education and concerts for children, as well as the music therapy department at Beth Israel Medical Center, where Louis Armstrong and Jacobs were both patients. After Louis Armstrong's passing in 1971, she worked directly with Lucille Armstrong to preserve and promote his legacy.
In 1974, Jacobs accompanied Lucille Armstrong on a tour which promoted Louis Armstrong's music in the former Soviet Union. She also helped to initiate the Young People's Concerts at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp (in New Orleans), and the Louis Armstrong Legacy Program and Celebration (in Chicago). Through her advocacy, the Louis Armstrong House in Corona, Queens was declared a city landmark. In 1995, she helped create the Louis Armstrong postage stamp and also helped to establish the Louis Armstrong Archives at City University of New York (CUNY) Queens College. In addition, she helped to rename P.S. 143 in Louis Armstrong's honor and in 1982 created a Louis Armstrong medal. She also helped rename the Louis Armstrong Stadium located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens. In addition to her endeavors concerning Louis Armstrong, Jacobs also worked with Mercer and Mercedes Ellington to promote the legacy of Duke Ellington. Related to this, she also helped establish The Duke Ellington Center and New York's original Jazz Museum.
She co-founded The Jazz Foundation of America, was a trustee for the Society of Singers, co-produced the Benny Goodman Centennial (held in Chicago), and helped launch the Columbia University Center for Jazz Studies and the Louis Armstrong performing program. Jacobs died in Manhattan at the age of 93.