Sébastian Jacot began playing the flute at the age of six and took up the saxophone three years later, studying both instruments in parallel. By the age of fifteen he had already received his saxophone diploma, after which he decided to dedicate himself fully to the flute and joined the class of Jacques Zoon at the University of Geneva.

Alongside music, Sébastian pursued a wide range of other interests. He trained as an ice skater and fencer, spent time at a circus school, and enjoyed building dirt bikes, windsurfing, and horse riding with his family.

At eighteen, a fortunate opportunity led to his first orchestral engagement as Assistant Principal Flute with the Hong Kong Philharmonic under Edo de Waart. It was there that he discovered both his passion for orchestral life and the practical realities of professional independence. After two years he returned to Europe to complete his studies and to gain further orchestral experience.

As a freelancer he performed with numerous leading ensembles, including the Munich Chamber Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, and the Mozart Orchestra. At the same time, he maintained close connections to Asia, appearing regularly as Principal Flute with the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Orchestra and the Mito Chamber Orchestra.

His exceptional artistry has been recognized in several major international competitions: first prize at the Kobe International Flute Competition in 2013, the Carl Nielsen International Competition in 2014, and the ARD International Music Competition in Munich in 2015.

In 2015 he was appointed Principal Flute of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig, a position he held until 2022. That year he was awarded the Principal Flute positions with both the San Francisco Symphony and the Berliner Philharmoniker.

A dedicated teacher, Sébastian Jacot regularly gives masterclasses around the world and has held teaching positions at the Hochschule für Künste Bremen and later at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin.