About John


John Worley has enjoyed a lengthy career as one of the great hidden gems in the San Francisco Bay Area jazz community.  His impressive trumpet/flugelhorn skills combine sophisticated intervallic jumps with a warm, rich tone and undeniable lyricism. 

"Worley received critical praise following his performance in 2005 with The Carla Bley/Steve Swallow Big Band at the Monterey Jazz Festival.  Carla Bley had nothing but praise for Worley's performance: "John played 'The Black Orchid' as if I had written it for him. Like a great stage actor, he made the part his own. Until further notice, he owns it." "Several of the most remarkable jazz players choose to remain 'local,' " Swallow says: "This means they'll be effectively ignored by the international press. John Worley is as fine an example of this as springs to mind. He tackled Carla's music with a perfect balance of sympathy for her intentions and determination to express himself. Only the very best players do this ... both render the writer's vision faithfully and enhance it."

- Excerpt from news article by Andy Gilbert, SF Chronicle