Jimmy Emerzian is a musician constantly in search of deeper meaning and expression in his music. As a saxophonist, composer and arranger, he has developed a voice of his own, while embracing the traditions set forth by musicians such as Dexter Gordon and Sonny Rollins. Equally influenced by the bebop language of Charlie Parker, the minimalist simplicity of Jan Garbarek, and the rhythmic and harmonic intricacies of Armenian dance and church music, Jimmy has the ability to adapt to a variety of musical settings, and maintain an expressive point of view.

As an educator, he has taught from the elementary to collegiate level, and has maintained a steady private lesson studio for many years. He currently teaches courses in jazz improvisation at CSU Long Beach, where he also received a Master’s Degree in Music (Jazz Studies).  Jimmy earned his B.A. in Music (Jazz Studies) from UCLA, and his A.A. from Fresno City College.  He has studied with Gary Foster, Billy Higgins, Harold Land, Kenny Burrell, Tom Ranier, Jeff Clayton, Jeff Jarvis, Sal Lozano, Bill Liston, Mike Dana, Paul Shaghoian, Mark Ribera, and Larry Honda.

Jimmy regularly performs with his own small groups, as well as with the Elliot Deutsch Big Band, the Eon Burchman Quartet (both of which have new recordings coming soon), the Brian Owen Quintet and Septet, and the Lou Giovannetti Big Band (directed by Jeff Jarvis).  In addition to leading his own groups and acting as a sideman with his contemporaries, he has backed up, recorded, or performed with many well-known artists such as Jeff Jarvis, Conrad Herwig, Bob Sheppard, Bobby Shew, Bobby Rodriguez, Ingrid Jensen, Dan St. Marseille, and A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys.  From Arizona to Montana, Hollywood to the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival, Berlin and Copenhagen to London and Paris, Jimmy's musical talents have taken him all over the map.  He has contributed his unique sound to many recordings in the areas of commercial radio and television, big band swing, jazz fusion, and pop music, and is in demand as a live performer, arranger, and production consultant.