Jacobs was born in Virginia but lived around the world in her youth, as her father worked as a diplomat. At the Unitarian Church in Virginia, Jacobs and her sisters learned civil rights marching songs, many of which were variations on old gospel traditionals. Jacobs cites such early influences as Elizabeth Cotten and Pete Seeger, both of whom visited her neighborhood Unitarian Church.

Jacobs' first album, The Calm Comes After, was a collection of songs with a band that skirted the borders between country and folk music. She followed up her independently released debut (on her own Small Pond Music) with a second album for Hoboken-based Bar/None Records, What About Regret (1995). Her first album, released in 1993, was later reissued on Bar/None.

Her music has been featured in the documentary film Delivered Vacant, and she's also written a book for children, A Sister (Hyperion Press), based on her song of the same name. But, of course, Jacobs' soprano voice is as attention-grabbing and captivating as her ballads and other song forms. She returned in 1998 with Hydrangea. Shortly thereafter, Jacobs briefly exchanged music for marriage and motherhood. You Call That Dark followed after a five year break. ~ Richard Skelly