Award winning trumpeter, composer, and educator Jun Iida is known for his dynamic and versatile contributions to the jazz and contemporary music scenes. With an impressive array of performances at renowned venues and festivals across the world, Iida has built a reputation as a skilled performer and a dedicated educator.
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri as the son of Japanese immigrants, Iida was immersed in a broad range of musical influences during his upbringing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Iida’s musical journey has taken him from Los Angeles to Seattle, and he is currently an active figure in the New York music scene. His performance credits include Jazz at Lincoln Center (Shanghai), Pit Inn (Tokyo), 100BAN Hall (Kobe), Smalls Jazz Club, Nublu, and Soapbox Gallery (NYC), as well as a number of prestigious venues in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, such as Sam First, Blue Whale, The Baked Potato, Gold Diggers, SFJazz, Black Cat, Benaroya Hall, and The Triple Door. He has also performed internationally, with notable tours in Canada, the US, and China.
As a bandleader, Iida leads the Jun Iida Group (Los Angeles/NYC), and has been a part of successful ensembles such as FADE Quintet (Seattle), Salt Petal (Los Angeles) and Todo Mundo/WITHIN (San Diego). He has performed at renowned festivals including SXSW, PDX Jazz Fest, and Earshot Jazz Festival. Over the years, he has shared the stage with a range of acclaimed musicians, including Deltron 3030, Mike Phillips, Takuya Kuroda, Anat Cohen, and Skerik.
Iida’s musical talents extend beyond performance into composition and education. He regularly teaches private trumpet lessons and has conducted clinics and masterclasses at schools and events throughout the West Coast and New York, including those supporting the prestigious Essentially Ellington competition. Additionally, he curates projects and events that celebrate and promote the intersection of music and culture. His notable curation work includes Hai! Japantown, a series showcasing AANHPI artists in Seattle, and Sake x Jazz Presents, a collaboration combining jazz music and sake culture.
A recipient of multiple awards and grants, Iida’s artistry has been recognized by the greater music community, earning him several Golden Ear Awards nominations and a spot on the 2025 Jack Straw Artist Support Program. His debut album as a leader, Evergreen (OA2 Records), was released in January 2024 to great acclaim, showcasing his evolving voice as a composer and performer.
Fluent in both English and Japanese with strong connections to both Japanese and American cultures, Iida continues to push the boundaries of jazz performance and education, fostering a deeper appreciation for the genre while engaging with diverse audiences worldwide. His passion for both performance and mentorship solidifies his place as one of the emerging voices in contemporary jazz.