News
New big band Album
coming Summer 2025
In early 2024, John Yao and His 17-piece Instrument recorded a ton of new music up at Oktaven Studios in Mount Vernon, NY. After three whirlwind days in the studio, 17 musicians recorded 16 songs, essentially two albums worth of music. For the last several months, I have been working on the tracks and now I am currently in the mixing phase of the first project. I’m thrilled to share this news and can’t wait to share the final tracks when they are ready. In the meantime, below are a few links to videos of live performances of songs that will be on the upcoming album. Please enjoy and stay tuned for more news about the official release date.
New JOHNYAO.COM STORe
I am thrilled to share that many of my original works and arrangements for large jazz ensemble are now available directly through my site. Included is the music from “Flip-Flop” as well as arrangements by different composers in a variety of styles and skill levels. I am always adding new charts, so please check back and see what’s new. If you don’t find anything you like, feel free to contact me.
Off-Kilter available now
John Yao, Compositions and Trombone | Billy Drewes, Alto and Soprano Saxes
Jon Irabagon, Tenor and Soprillo Saxes | Robert Sabin, Bass | Mark Ferber, Drums
Here’s what the press is saying about Off-Kilter:
“This three-horned beast of a band first came to notice with 2019’s How We Do, a dynamic, boundry-pushing date . . John Yao’s Triceratops may be off-kilter, but is also remarkably on point.” - NYCJR, Dan Bilawasky
“Trombonist and composer, John Yao, vividly captures a sense of risk-taking and improvisational invention to create this boldly unpredictable album.” – Musical Memoirs, Dee Dee McNeil
“Off-kilter and on target.” - Jazzwise, Kevin Le Gendre
"Off-Kilter" is right on target, modern music for adventurous minds. John Yao's Triceratops is quite alive, playing with fire, with joy, spirited interactions that jump out of the speakers. “ - Stem Tempest, Richard Kamins
For the past two decades, John Yao has established himself as one of the premier trombonists, composers, and arrangers on the New York City jazz scene. Yao’s lyrical soloing and expressive, round tone, combined with his relentless drive to push the boundaries of harmony and rhythm, have established him as a unique and forward-thinking jazz talent. He has been called “one of New York’s elite trombonists and is also a first-class, ambitious, and witty composer and leader . .” (Lucid Culture) and his compositions are described as “boldly diverse, Yao's compositions cut across the swath of contemporary jazz's field” (All About Jazz). In 2023, Yao earned a place in the Rising Star Trombone and Rising Star Big Band categories in the DownBeat Critics Poll. He has built an extensive body of work, collaborating with ensembles and performers worldwide and releasing five recordings as a bandleader—each showcasing his bold, boundary-pushing compositions for both small groups and big bands.