Jarien Jamanila - Jarien Plays Jamanila (2024) [Hi-Res]

Jarien Jamanila is a saxophonist from San Diego, California. His voice started on the alto saxophone but he also plays tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute, piccolo, clarinet, bass clarinet and piano. He is extremely serious and dedicated to his craft while at the same time easy going and likes to have a good laugh when connecting with people! He mainly plays in the jazz style and is well-versed in the Great American Songbook and jazz standards. He has a real grasp on technique, music theory and tonal development. But of all these aspects, it is clear that he is a man about his melodies. With that said, he has a great emphasis on playing with a great sound. While he is most into jazz music, he is interested in playing and helping students develop in any style they'd like. His goal as a teacher for Virtu.Academy is to do the absolute best he can to encourage and inspire his students in their own path with music while making it fun to practice and learn together. He knows that while he can be a mentor to his students, he can always take new ideas from them, as well, that will further his artistry.

He went to San Diego's School of Creative and Performing Arts where he first had an interest in jazz music. As of June 2021 he graduated from the Juilliard School with a Bachelor's of Music in Jazz Studies. Most of his life he's been involved and surrounded by a musical environment whether it'd be in schooling, playing with his peers and mentors, or listening to music he grew up within the family. Sharing his love for music to his students will be rewarding for both sides! During his years at Juilliard he studied privately with Dan Block(saxophone/clarinet/flute), Ben Wolfe(bass) and Geoffrey Keezer(piano). Some of his other mentors over the years include Gilbert Castellanos(trumpet), Kamau Kenyatta(piano) and Charles McPherson(saxophone), Marshall Hawkins(bass), Wynton Marsalis(trumpet) and George Coleman(saxophone). He’s had the opportunity to share the stage with Bobby Watson, Delfeayo Marsalis, Eric Reed, Gaslamp Quarter Jazz Orchestra and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Some of his biggest musical influences are Charlie Parker(saxophone), Duke Ellington(piano), Johnny Hodges(saxophone) and Thelonious Monk(piano).