Established as one of the up-and-coming baritone saxophonists, Jimmy Farace works as a freelance jazz musician, composer and arranger. His compositions have been described as “delightfully elegant, flirtatiously succulent” (Exclusive Magazine) and tone has been celebrated as “big and sonorous - visceral while giving hints of Gerry Mulligan coolness” (Jazz Weekly).
Farace’s main project is a baritone saxophone trio entitled Trio Profondo. Initially bonding over their shared Italian American heritage, Jimmy Farace (baritone saxophone), Stephen Parisi (bass), and Paul Barrilles (drums) formed Trio Profondo to present Black American Music through an uncommon and exciting instrumentation. Trio Profondo’s aesthetic concept revolves around the theme of depth, as exemplified by the group’s exploration of the rich contrapuntal possibilities between baritone and bass voices.
In March 2023, Trio Profondo released their debut album, Mosaic - a collection of original compositions from each of the members and a standard from the pen of Thelonious Monk. Ranging from themes of nostalgia, love, and exasperation, all nine songs reflect upon important moments in each of the trio members’ lives. Much like the nature of Trio Profondo itself, each track of Mosaic, though independent in nature, merges to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Mosaic received overwhelmingly positive local and international critical acclaim:
Named Top 12 (best of) in France - Couleurs Jazz Media
“The trio effortlessly melds a diverse array of jazz genres, from hard bop to cool jazz, as well as the dissonance of the avant garde.” - Fra Noi Magazine
“Mosaic showcases so much talent and creativity … (Trio Profondo) brings their individual strengths that make for a collectively vibrant and top notch debut” - Take Effect Reviews
“Mosaic is an introduction to a fine trio with an abundance of potential” - O’s Place Jazz Magazine
“Trio Profondo leaves an impression of control and feline suppleness to the most beautiful effect” - Culture Jazz Magazine
After receiving a full tuition scholarship to the prestigious Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Farace received his Masters of Music at DePaul University in Chicago, Il where he currently works and resides. Farace leads various ensembles under his own name ranging from chordless trio to nonet with string quartet. He has performed with Chicago legends such as Mark Colby, Scott Hesse, Clark Sommers, Ethan Philion, Katie Ernst, Pete Benson and Bill O'Connell. As a baritone saxophone specialist Farace is no stranger to a saxophone section, and has performed in numerous world class big bands featuring soloists such as Chris Potter, Randy Brecker and Jeff Hamilton. Farace has been a member of the Hugh Jackman World Tour Orchestra, Birch Creek Faculty Band, as well as the Disneyland All-American College Band.
Jimmy Farace is a continuation of the rich history of the baritone saxophone and has studied this tradition with baritone masters Gary Smulyan, Brian Landrus and Paul Nedzela; as well as saxophone masters Walter Smith III, Greg Ward, Tom Walsh, and Scott Burns.