Jacob Tardien trained initially as a pianist before moving into composition. He studied musical analysis, harmony, composition and orchestration with Karim Haddad (IRCAM), Isabelle Duha (CNSMDP, ENS), Olivier Kaspar (CNSMDL) in Paris and Steven Scott Smailey (orchestrator for Danny Elfman), workshop Film Center, NYC).

His education and creative style allow him to work with both European and American directors. He wrote the music for several TV shows like The Law of... for French TV channel France 3.

In 2015, he composed the soundtrack to Roberto Minervini's 
documentary movie The Other Side that was selected at the Cannes Film festival in the category "Un Certain Regard".

More recently, Jacob Tardien worked with several New York-based directors: David Bemis (Strange Bird), Nathan Crooker (Midnight Delivery), the Hayes Brothers (Fight Machine) and Jacqueline Dow (pilot to her series Little Hope).