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

“John Yao is one of New York’s elite trombonists and is also a first-class, ambitious, and witty composer and leader.” – Alan Young, Lucid Culture
“Boldly diverse, Yao’s compositions cut across the swath of contemporary jazz’s field.” – Franz Matzner, All About Jazz

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 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.