Jake's music expertise focuses and expands upon both the Contemporary Classical/New Music and Jazz traditions. Whether composing or performing, Jake believes that the most profound music utilizes both the predetermined and the spontaneous. Jake finds that music that is thoughtfully and meticulously composed and also promotes individual improvisation is not only enjoyable to listen to, but is how to push contemporary music forward. His work attempts to fuse the complex compositional systems employed by classical New Music composers and the expressionistic method of improvisation employed by the Jazz tradition.

Primary New Music influences include Alexander Scriabin, Béla Bartók, Kaikhosru Sorabji, the Second Viennese School (Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern), early 20th century American Ultramodernists (Ruth Crawford, Henry Cowell), and New Complexity composers (Michael Finnissy). Primary jazz influences include George Gershwin, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Billy Strayhorn, Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter.