Discography
JOHN YAO & HIS 17-PIECE INSTRUMENT
Points in time
John Yao, Trombone. Compositions, Conductor
Saxes: Billy Drewes, Alto & Soprano Saxes | Hashem Assadulahi, Alto Sax, Flute | Rich Perry, Tenor Sax | Tim Armacost, Tenor Sax, Clarinet | Carl Maraghi Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet
Trumpets and Flugels: Nick Marchione, John Lake, David Neves, David Smith
Trombones: Matt McDonald, Nick Vayenas, Sam Blakeslee, Max Seigel
Rhythm Section: Hyuna Park, Piano | Robert Sabin, Bass | Andy Watson, Drums
See Tao Recordings 005
JOHN YAO’S TRICERATOPS
Off-Kilter
John Yao, Trombone | Billy Drewes, Alto & Soprano Saxes | Jon Irabagon, Tenor Sax | Robert Sabin, Bass | Mark Ferber, Drums
See Tao Recordings 004
JOHN YAO’S TRICERATOPS
How We do
John Yao, Trombone | Billy Drewes, Alto & Soprano Saxes | Jon Irabagon, Tenor Sax | Peter Brendler, Bass | Mark Ferber, Drums
See Tao Recordings 003
YAO SMITH HUGHES SEXTET
THE GATES
John Yao, Trombone | Jimmy Smith, Trumpet | James Hughes, Alto, Tenor, Soprano Saxes | Corey Kendrick, Piano | Jeff Pedraz, Bass | Nick Collins, Drums
Shifting Paradigm Records
JOHN YAO QUINTET
PRESENCE
John Yao, Trombone & Compositions | Jon Irabagon, Soprano & Sopranino Saxes | Randy Ingram, Piano & Rhoades | Peter Brendler, Bass | Shawn Baltazor, Drums
See Tao Recordings 002
JOHN YAO & HIS 17-PIECE INSTRUMENt
FLIP-FL0P
John Yao, Trombone. Compositions, Conductor
Saxes: John O’Gallagher, Alto & Soprano Saxes | Alejandro Aviles, Alto Sax, Flute | Rich Perry, Tenor Sax | Jon Irabagon, Tenor Sax, Clarinet | Frank Basilie, Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet
Trumpets and Flugels: John Walsh, Jason Wiseman, Andy Gravish, David Smith
Trombones: Luis Bonilla, Matt McDonald, Tokunouri Kajiwara, Jennifer Wharton
Rhythm Section: Jesse Stacken, Piano | Robert Sabin, Bass | Vince Cherico, Drums
See Tao Recordings 001
JOHN YAO QUINTET
IN THE NOW
John Yao, Trombone & Compositions | Jon Irabagon, Soprano & Sopranino Saxes | Randy Ingram, Piano & Rhoades | Leon Boykins, Bass | Will Clark, Drums
Innova Recordings 823
As a performer:
Zhengtao Pan Large Ensemble, release date TBD.
Sam Blakeslee Big Band (two albums), release date TBD.
Zhengtao Pan Large Ensemble, Day by Day, Self-released, 2026.
Naoya Ogura Jazz Orchestra, Colors of a Journey, Bandstands Presents, 2025.
Joe McCarthy & New York Afro-Bop Alliance Big Band, Nutcracker Suite, Angelface Records 2022.
Manuel Valera’s New Cuban Express Big Band, Distancia, Greenleaf Music 2022.
Manuel Valera’s New Cuban Express Big Band, Jose Marti En Nueva York, Greenleaf Music, 2020.
Kyle Saulnier’s Awakening Orchestra, Vol. 1: This is not the answer, Innova Recordings, 2020.
Joe McCarthy & New York Afro-Bop Alliance Big Band, Upwards, Zoho, 2019.
Patrick Lui Big Band, Sonder, producer, performer Modest Room, 2018.
Shota Lee Big Band, Kibo-Ho, 2017.
Robert Sabin, Humanity Part II, Ranura Recordings, 2015.
The Joshua Shneider Love Speaks Orchestra, The Joshua Shneider Love Speaks Orchestra featuring Luci Woodward, Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records, 2013.
Jeff Fairbanks Jazz Orchestra, Mulberry Street, Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records, 2010.
Russ Spiegel Jazz Orchestra, Transplants, Ruzztone Music, 2007.
Soundtrack for movie, The Hottest State, 2006.
La Tira, La Tira, 2004.
Brian O’Hern and the Model Citizens Big Band, Let’s Make Gravy, 2003.