Jimmy Emerzian is a freelance musician and educator based in Los Angeles and originating from Selma, CA. With a musical approach that balances introspective creativity and bold energy, he has found success as a saxophonist and writer in many styles of jazz and commercial music. In addition to leading his own gigs and acting as a sideman with groups such as the the Ron King Big Band, Elliot Deutsch Big Band, Teryn Ré Big Band, and Eon Burchman Quartet, his performance credits include: vocal legend Engelbert Humperdinck, Matthew Morrison (GLEE), A.J. McLean (Backstreet Boys), Jordin Sparks (American Idol), Bobby Caldwell, Dianne Schuur, The 10,000 Maniacs, Swing Out Sister, Gregg Karukas, Jeff Jarvis, Patrick Williams, Van Alexander, Ralph Carmichael, Tim Simonec, and Tierney Sutton.

Jimmy is on the Jazz Studies faculty at CSULB’s Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, where he teaches jazz improvisation, theory, arranging, and combos. He is also active as a clinician and woodwind coach at various schools in his area.  Jimmy has studied with Gary Foster, Billy Higgins, Harold Land, Kenny Burrell, Tom Ranier, Bobby Rodriguez, Jeff Clayton, Jeff Jarvis, Sal Lozano, Bill Liston, Mike Dana, Paul Shaghoian, Mark Ribera, and Larry Honda.