Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Jaeger was educated at the University of Wisconsin–Madison where he earned a Bachelor of Music in 1970.
After being awarded a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship he pursued graduate studies under John Weinzweig and Gustav Ciamaga at the University of Toronto; earning a Master of Music in 1972.
In 1971 he co-founded the Canadian Electronic Ensemble with David Grimes, Larry Lake and James Montgomery.
Jaeger worked as a radio producer for the CBC from 1973-2013; during which time he created the programs 'Music of Today and Music Makers International.
He won two JUNO Awards for his work producing the Orford String Quartet's 1990 album Schafer: 5.