Jimmy Farace is a dedicated baritone saxophonist whose rich, resonant tone brings the beauty of the instrument to the forefront. A thoughtful composer and improviser, Farace creates music that is deeply human, exploring experiences everyone can relate to - growing pains, nostalgia, joy, and the small moments that shape our lives. With an unwavering belief in the instrument’s ability to tell profound musical stories, Farace has earned praise from some of jazz’s finest voices. DownBeat Magazine hailed him as “an outstanding new voice on baritone saxophone.” Saxophone legend Gary Smulyan observed: “His baritone playing is deeply emotional, mature, and his sound simply gorgeous. The combination of the writing and playing is stunning, wonderfully conceived, and in perfect balance and harmony.”
Farace’s debut album, Hours Fly, Flowers Die (Shifting Paradigm Records, 2025), manifests his artistic vision with a modern jazz quintet and the KAIA String Quartet. The record reflects on the passage of time and the bittersweet beauty of nostalgia, weaving original compositions with reimagined classics into a cohesive, emotionally rich statement. All About Jazz praised the album, noting: “Jimmy Farace makes a strong statement on this debut album. There have been a lot of saxophone-and-strings albums over the years, but the variety and sheer beauty of the music on this one is special.” Walter Smith III called it “a COMPLETE musical statement, displaying an uncommon level of maturity for such a young artist. Jimmy Farace’s playing and writing are the mark of someone who demands the attention of a wide audience!”
Farace has performed and recorded with a wide range of acclaimed artists, including Dana Hall, Clark Sommers, Makaya McCraven, Greg Ward, Matt Ulery, Quin Kirchner, Sharel Cassity, Geof Bradfield, Lenard Simpson, John Wojciechowski, Ethan Philion, and Scott Hesse. 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.
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.