Upon the release of Dominick Farinacci’s U.S. debut album Lovers, Tales and Dances, the great Quincy Jones popped by the hip Los Angeles club Vibrato to check out a show by the now 29 year old trumpeter. Farinacci had recorded an obscure Q composition, “The Theme From the Pawnbroker.” Jones’ classic response: “This kid is 360 degrees!”—a reference to the cosmopolitan, culturally expansive range of American and world music influences that Farinacci brings to his unique blend of traditional and contemporary jazz.

Over the years, Farinacci has won numerous awards that speak to his wide ranging impact and appeal: the International New Star Award (along with Diana Krall and Christian McBride), the Disney New Star Award and first place honors in the Carmine Caruso International Trumpet Competition. He was also invited to perform at the O2 in London opening for Jamie Cullum and Jeff Beck. In January 2012, he was featured on an hour-long segment of NPR’s “Jazz Rising Stars.” Launching his recording career overseas with an incredibly prolific run of six albums from 2003-2007 on Japan’s Pony Canyon/M&I Records, the NYC based artist blossomed with the full throttle eclectic approach he took to Lovers, Tales and Dances, the first jazz recording produced by legendary three time Grammy winning pop/rock producer Russ Titelman (Eric Clapton, Randy Newman, Steve Winwood).