2025 Impact NextGen Honoree: Jacob Rosado

JACOB ROSADO
Entertainment Director
Ruth Eckerd Hall Inc.

PATERNAL INSTINCTS
Rosado’s grandfather was an opera singer who once sang with legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

Jacob Rosado’s passion for music was passed down from previous generations, a story many share in the industry. In this case, it was Rosado’s grandfather, a successful opera singer in the Tampa area.

“I’ve been told that he even performed with Pavarotti in a production at USF,” Rosado says. “I grew up listening to him lead the singing at our church, and he shared his love of music with me from a very young age.”

That passion led Rosado to singing in chorus and playing guitar, but while attending Florida Southern College, he realized he “was no opera singer” and enrolled in a music management program, which wound up suiting his strengths.

“From there, I found my calling post-graduating at Ruth Eckerd Hall” in Clearwater, Florida, Rosado says. “But I would never have made it to this path without that initial spark from my grandfather.”

As entertainment director at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Inc., Rosado wears multiple hats at the company (talent buyer, programming director, settlement rep, venue liaison) and has managed to bring a diverse group of artists to Ruth Eckerd Hall as well as BayCare Sound, such as Rick Springfield, Counting Crows and Khurangbin, which was a highlight for Rosado.

“I’m personally a fan of their music,” he says, and was thrilled when the agent reached out. “The show went on to be the top-selling show at [BayCare Sound] at the time.”

Rosado interviewed for a part-time assistant job at Ruth Eckerd Hall and was hired by one of his mentors, Bobby Rossi, executive vice president of the company.

“From sending avails to crafting an offer to reviewing a contract to settling a show, you name it — I learned it all from him,” Rosado says. “He is a wealth of knowledge with strong conviction, a kind heart and an open mind. He continues to push me to try new things and find a way through tough situations with class and grace.”

That line of thinking has motivated Rosado to go beyond his comfort zone, like booking bass music producer Of The Trees at BayCare Sound.

“That was our first big EDM show at the venue and really opened my eyes to the genre,” he says.

It’s that openness and willingness to try new experiences that makes Rosado stand out at Ruth Eckerd Hall, and he hopes to pass that on to everyone he works with.

“Providing a positive work environment – treating everyone on my team as I live my life now, with kindness, fairness and integrity,” Rosado says.