Dominick Farinacci

Dominick Farinacci

with Special Guests Shenel Johns (vocal) & Jonathan Thomas (piano)

Dominick Farinacci ranks among the most acclaimed trumpeters and educators of his generation, with a list of career achievements that push beyond the conventional notions of recognition for a jazz musician. Born and raised in Cleveland, he was just 17 when one of his most important mentors, Wynton Marsalis, chose him to perform in a special program for PBS. While still a student in Juilliard’s inaugural class of jazz-studies majors, he hit the ground running as a recording artist and bandleader — first in Japan, where he released eight albums in short order, and later globally.

At Marsalis’ request, Farinacci spearheaded an outpost of Jazz at Lincoln Center in Doha, Qatar, from 2012 to 2016. His star-filled 2016 album, Short Stories, was developed with music-industry legend and producer Tommy LiPuma. Six years later, Farinacci received the Cleveland Arts Prize, arguably his hometown’s most prestigious honor.

But for the New York-based trumpeter, achievement isn’t the point, and his most powerful works underscore a profound compassion for humanity. In 2011, in response to his mother’s cancer diagnosis, he crafted a serene melody called “A Prayer for You,” which inspired a lauded TED Talk that Farinacci gave at the Kennedy Center in 2014. A decade later, he was finally able to record his composition for the debut project by his group TRIAD.

Farinacci’s interest in addressing trauma through art also informed Modern Warrior LIVE, a multidisciplinary touring work that combines first-person storytelling with film and the trumpeter’s innovative musical direction. Developed with U.S. Army veteran Jaymes Poling, who provides original narration, Modern Warrior LIVE chronicles the journey of the contemporary American veteran through multiple deployments and the complex process of readjusting to civilian life. General Jim Mattis called the project a “necessary and worthy mission paying our respects to all veterans and, by extension, to the Gold Star families.” 

Farinacci also continues to serve as the director of the Tri-C JazzFest Academy in Cleveland. There, he strives to honor jazz history while also breaking new ground through teachings that address the realities of the music business — part of his honest, earnest wish to help young artists find happiness and good health in music. As with all his endeavors, Farinacci’s efforts as an educator are rooted in empathy.

SHENEL JOHNS, VOCAL

Shenel Johns is "History in the making" as expressed in The Boston Globe’s review of the Newport Jazz Festival. A dynamic Jazz musician that commands the stage with an intrepid and lively spirit which heralds incredible range and talent, her performance is the amalgamation of immersion in reggae and gospel from a young age. Hailing from the capitol city of Hartford, CT, Johns honed her intrinsic aptitude and passion for music at the Hartt School (University of Hartford). It is here she received invaluable mentorship from Jackie McLean legacies: Rene McLean, Jimmy Greene, and Steve Davis.

Recognizing the positive influence music has gifted her, this songstress since the endeavored to mentor aspiring young artists across the world through classrooms such as Seiko Jazz camp in Tokyo, Japan. Shenel’s ardency to share music across global stages regardless of language barriers or culture was demonstrated in residencies at Jazz Lincoln Center’s Club in Shanghai, China; Doha, Qatar; Xalapa, Mexico and on countless tours through Europe where she reached the #1 spot on BBC’s Classical Radio. She returned to Latvia after winning the Riga Jazz Stage Vocal Competition to produce a project honoring George Gershwin with the accompaniment of a 17-piece orchestra, while collaborating and touring year-round with the musical pioneers Wynton Marsalis, Damien Sneed, Etienne Charles, Dominick Farinacci and Endea Owens to fuse traditional Gospel, Jazz and diasporic idioms.

Shenel Johns continuously strives to push her limits and range in formidable and renowned venues and festivals including Museum of Modern Art, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Blue Note Jazz Club in her home away from home, New York City; most recently Johns’ debuted with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, under the direction of Wynton Marsalis, for their return performance to the Rose Theater Stage in “Songs of Freedom”; was featured on a 50 city tour under the same moniker to share the “Songs We Love” with jazz enthusiasts across the nation; and returned as a featured artist to celebrate the centennial of legendary Jazz Drummer Max Roach.

JONATHAN THOMAS, PIANO

Pianist Jonathan Thomas is a recent graduate of the The Juilliard School, and has performed with Samara Joy, Marquis Hill, Dominick Farrinacci, Walter Blanding, Robin Mckelle, and Jazzmeia Horn among other leading voices in jazz today. He is lauded as one of the most ardent and gifted rising forces in jazz today and appears regularly at The Blue Note, Dizzy's Club, Smalls Jazz Club, and Minton's Playhouse.