Hungry for more knowledge, John continued his study and has since received a Bachelor's degree from Indiana University and a Master's degree in Jazz Performance from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queen's College. During his time at Indiana University, John resumed playing the piano, which would become an important tool in the development of his composing and arranging skills. While at Queen's College, Luis Bonilla profoundly influenced John not only through their study of the trombone but as educator and a person. In his studies with Michael Mossman, John grew immensely as composer and arranger and received the Aaron Copland School of Music Jazz Award.
As a performer, John has played at many major venues including Carnegie Hall, the Village Vanguard, Birdland and the Kennedy Center. Internationally, he has played in Japan, Italy, Austria, Peru, Brazil, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Aside from being a member of New York's hottest salsa band Chino Nunez and Friends, John has also performed with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra directed by Arturo O'Farrill, Paquito D'Rivera, Eddie Palmieri, Danilo Perez, Kurt Elling, Teo Macero, Diego Urcola, Ismael Miranda, Buddy DeFranco, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Lou Rawls, Brooklyn Big Band, JEff Fairbanks Orchestra, Josh Shneider Orchestra and Bright Eyes.
As a composer and arranger, John has written many commissions for educational performance ensembles of all sizes ranging from big band to jazz trio. He has also written big band arrangements and original compositions for several professional bands in the New York area. Currently, John is artistic director and conductor of his own big band, Yaozeki Big Band, which has perfroming around New York City since 2010. Seperately, he has been working a small group project, the John Yao Quintet, which released its debut CD "In the Now" on Innova Recordings in April 2012. And John's most recent project is a new big band featuring all his original compositions.
[A] resourceful young trombonist whose recent debut, ‘In the Now’ (Innova), shows him to be a smart composer-bandleader besides.Nate Chinen New York Times
In the Now ... blends vivid tunefulness, clever composition and inspired teamwork. It’s accessible, but it’s also cerebral, and there’s also considerable wit here ... Yao’s arrangements and voicings are original, imaginative and completely in the here and now.Lucid Culture
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Freedom and streamlined focus don’t often get along on jazz recordings, but when they do, it can make for an inspired outing. Trombonist John Yao managed to merge these divergent pathways into a single direction on his debut album, creating a flavorful feast for the senses. Yao’s music is teeming with danger and uncertainty ... In The Now is a solid first step that marks him as one to watch. This is compelling music that straddles down-the- middle modernism and the great beyond.Dan Bilawsky All About Jazz
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Yao ... makes an auspicious debut as a leader here ... [The group] enjoy a copasetic rapport on potent offerings like ‘Divisions,’ which shifts in and out of a churning 12/8 Afro-Caribbean groove and double-timed 4/4 swing, and the ominous, organ-fueled groover ‘Funky Sunday.’ ... ‘Not Even Close’ and ‘Pink Eye’ incorporate an insistently swinging Jazz Messengers vibe while also stepping into the free-rider zone at times, and the tempo-accelerating ‘Snafu’ may be Yao’s most original composition of the bunch. The trombonist reveals golden tones and lyrical tendencies on his stirring ballad ‘Shorter Days.’Bill Milkowski Jazz Times
The debut release from the John Yao Quintet is more than the start of an artistic odyssey for Yao. In The Now is a magnificent musical display of the passion of not just creating music in the moment but is a look at the development and application of the creative process of an incredible young talent and his horn. Sonic texture, brilliant colors and moving beyond conventional form and function with purpose and direction has In The Now as a gem for 2012 and a release one should not overlook!Brent Black Critical Jazz
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[A]n album of intelligently constructed pieces that give his powerful quintet plenty of room to display its skills. ... The group possesses a forceful sound, giving the impression, at times, that a much bigger ensemble is at work as the band members deftly trade solos, combine and contrast lines, and shift tempos and rhythms. . . Spirited and well-executed, In the Now bristles with energy.Franz Matzner All About Jazz
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Wow. [In the Now is] Trombonist John Yao’s debut album, and it is damn strong. Featuring Jon Irabagon on soprano, Yao weaves a deliciously textured album that seems of greater fullness than five instruments could create on their own. Songs like “Shorter Days” are just so joyful. One of those albums where there’s a lot going on, plenty of complexities, yet remains inherently listenable ... An album for old and new school jazz fans alike, and a terribly promising sign that this is Yao’s debut album. I’m already looking forward to hearing what comes next.David Sumner Bird Is The Worm
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... the fifty minutes of In the Now [are] held together by a remarkable communicative power that reveals a great sense of form, dynamic balance, tonal variety, ease of performance. The quintet, guided with confidence by the young trombone player, moves confidently through the potential pitfalls of an often complex and layered piece which the leader’s skill in arrangement transforms into flowing, delightful musicVincenzo Roggero All About Jazz Italia
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The mix of trombone and alto make for some delicious harmonies in the front line ... these guys mix their adventurous solos with some riffs and seques that keep you hanging in there with them. Songs like ‘Divisions’ have that classic Mingusy feel where the band swings like there’s no tomorrow ... you can feel them tipping over the edge, and just never quite falling into the abyss. [F]or the more courageous swinger.George Harris Jazz Weekly
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Upcoming Performances
FREE!
Suggested $5 donation
Past Performances
$20 cover
featuring; John Yao, Trombone; Jon Irabagon, Saxes; Randy Ingram, Piano; Leon Boykins, Bass; Will Clark, Drums
sets at 9 and 11pm, $30 cover
sets at 9 and 11pm, $30 cover
Teaching Credentials:
Third Street Music Settlement
2008 - PresentFaculty, Beginning Band and Brass Techniques
Queens College
2011 - PresentGuest Lecturer
Manhattan School of Music
2011 - PresentGuest Lecturer
Temple University
2007 - 2009Guest Lecturer of Jazz and Latin Combos
New York Summer Music Festival
2010 - PresentFaculty
York College
2008 - 2012Adjunct Faculty
Boston University
Fall 2007Online Coordinator for Jazz and Pop Arranging Class
click here to download John's resume
Clinic and Masterclass Topics:
Trombone Masterclass
(for all brass instruments)A thorough understanding of fundamental brass techniques, such as breathing, posture, tone, technique and style is essential to playing a brass instrument. These concepts will be demonstrated along with an approach to practicing them for all levels of experience.
Improvisation Masterclass
(for all levels)This clinic is an open discussion of improvisation and a demonstration of how to incorporate basic musical tools and vocabulary in the context of a solo. It's focus will be on scales and chords and methods of practicing improvisation.
Big Band/Combo Masterclass
The art of playing in an ensemble is one of the more challenging yet rewarding experiences in music. Concepts discussed will include style, various rehearsal techniques, selection of repertoire, application of musical skills and understanding each individual's role not only within their specific section, but also within the entire ensemble.
click here to email John about a Masterclass
Publicity Photos
Photo Album
The first of several clips from John Yao Quintet's CD release show May 30, 2012 at the Cornelia Street Cafe. Featuring John Yao (Trombone), Jon Irabagon (Alto Sax), Randy Ingram (Piano), Leon Boykins (Bass) and Will Clark (Drums).
Part 2 of Funky Sunday from the John Yao Quintet CD Release Show at Cornelia Street May 2012.
Snafu is the last track from "In the Now". This first clip starts after the melody and is primarily the trombone solo.
The second half of "Snafu" which features Jon Irabagon's solo over the B section where the band gradually speeds up and leads to a full on band freak out!
Leader
iTUNESAMAZONBUY CD
Sideman
John Yao Quintet
The John Yao Quintet is based in New York City and has been together since 2010. The group performs Yao's unique original compositions which range from hard-hitting, aggressive and experimental jazz to ballads that exude passion, tenderness and understanding.
The quintet features Jon Irabagon on saxophones, Randy Ingram on piano, Leon Boykins on bass, and Will Clark on drums.
The John Yao Quintet has been actively performing around New York City and plans on recording again in 2013.
John Yao & His 17-piece Instrument
This 17-piece ensmble features NYC's finest musicians. Yao's compositions explore form and structure and combine serial and 12-tone techniques with swing, latin, and funk grooves all while staying connected to traditional big band.
The ensemble's inaugural performance was in the spring of 2013 and has several upcoming performances.
click here to commission John for an arrangement.