For those unaware, Points in Time, out July 11th, 2025 via See Tao Recordings, celebrates memorable personal and musical moments from John Yao’s two-decade experience in New York City.

It’s been 20 years since trombonist, composer, arranger and bandleader John Yao arrived in New York City; 10 years have passed since the release of his first big band album, the exuberant Flip-Flop.

He’ll celebrate that tandem anniversary with the aforementioned Points in Time, the long-awaited follow-up by John Yao and His 17-Piece Instrument (JY-17). While the album arrives as a commemoration of those two significant dates, the music it contains is deeply informed by a number of professional and personal milestones that have marked that two-decade journey.

Indeed, Points in Time is enriched and invigorated by a wealth of experiences that Yao has enjoyed since Flip-Flop heralded the arrival of “a strong compositional voice and effective band-leader able to use his 17-piece band to paint across a wide spectrum and infuse his complex writing with a thoughtful balance of audacity, structure, humor, and sonic might” (All About Jazz).

1. Upside
2. Not Even Close
3. Triceratops Blues
4. First Step
5. The Other Way
6. Early Morning Walk
7. Song For Nolan
8. Finger Painting

Delivering a bold, modern take on big band jazz—fusing swing, Latin grooves, and adventurous writing with one of NYC’s most dynamic ensembles, this musically expansive new recording opens on the upbeat Upside and then we get brought forth the jaggedly strident fare of Not Even Close, the low slung Triceratops Blues and the vibrantly flirty First Step.

Along next on this sumptuously crafted new album is the veritably cinematic The Other Way which is itself backed seamlessly by the sumptuous, beautifully crafted Early Morning Walk, the set rounding out on the free flowing Song For Nolan, coming to an all-too-soon close on the late night elegance expertly crafted within Finger Painting.

For the album’s repertoire, Yao culled favorite tunes from throughout his discography, revising small-band compositions in vibrant new big band arrangements. He also showcases the new pieces he’s penned over the intervening years, including works premiered during the “Big Band & Beyond” concert series that the JY-17 hosted at Greenwich House Music School in the wake of Flip-Flop’s release.

Points in Time Official Trailer - John Yao & His 17-Piece Instrument

www.johnyao.com