Jimmy Farace

From an early age, Jimmy Farace has been captivated by the beauty and expressive power of the baritone saxophone. With an unwavering belief in the instrument’s ability to tell profound musical stories, Farace has already earned praise from some of jazz’s finest voices. "Jimmy Farace’s playing and writing are the mark of someone who demands the attention of a wide audience!" says saxophonist Walter Smith III, while baritone legend Gary Smulyan describes his tone as “deeply emotional, mature, and his sound simply gorgeous.” 

Based in Chicago, Farace is quickly becoming recognized as an up-and-coming voice in jazz. His upcoming debut album, Hours Fly, Flowers Die (Shifting Paradigm Records, April 2025), is a heartfelt exploration of nostalgia and time, inspired by Henry Van Dyke’s For Katrina’s Sundial. Featuring GRAMMY-winning bassist Clark Sommers, Dana Hall, Kenny Reichert, Julius Tucker, the KAIA String Quartet, and producer Greg Ward, the album showcases Farace’s original modern jazz compositions and arrangements.

Farace has performed and recorded with a wide range of acclaimed artists, including Dana Hall, Clark Sommers, Sharel Cassity, Jeff Campbell, Scott Hesse, Scott Burns, Matt Ulery and Ethan Philion. As a leader, his groups have graced Chicago stages such as The Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, The Hungry Brain, Constellation and Evanston SPACE, and have toured nationally at venues like Café Vivace, The Bop Stop, Con Alma, and Pausa Art House.

In addition to his performing career, Farace is deeply committed to education. He serves on faculty at the Merit School of Music in Chicago and mentors a thriving private studio of woodwind students. He earned a Bachelor of Music on a full scholarship from Indiana University’s prestigious Jacobs School of Music, and a Master of Music from DePaul University.

Whether on stage or in the classroom, Jimmy Farace continues to push the boundaries of what the baritone saxophone can express, carving out a unique place in the world of modern jazz.

Tags