John Yao & His 17-Piece Instrument: Performing Group in New York

About John Yao & His 17-Piece Instrument

John Yao & His 17-Piece Instrument is a large-ensemble project led by composer and arranger John Yao, whose work spans big-band writing and jazz education. At New York City performances, including the Kupferberg Center for the Arts, the group presents original charts built around dense brass voicings, layered sections, and clear rhythmic architecture. The repertoire draws on Yao’s interest in orchestration as much as improvisation, treating the ensemble like a single instrument. The performances tend to favor structure and color over spectacle.