In 1709, he participated in the Battle of Poltava. During his stay in Constantinople, he studied flute under Pierre-Gabriel Buffardin. From 1713 to 1722, he served as flutist in the court of the Stockholm capelle. He died childless in 1722 in Stockholm and is buried there.
Johann Jacob played oboe, flute and possibly violin. He probably composed the Sonata in C minor under the name Signor Bach.[4]