Ukrainian jazz trumpeter, Fulbright Scholar to headline Pierce Street Jazz

The free-admission performance will be held at 7 p.m. at Troesh Conference Center, Zapara School of Business. Pierce Street Jazz is sponsored by the Office of the President and the Zapara School of Business at La Sierra University. 

Tsvietinskyi is a graduate of UCLA’s Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance where he toured internationally with Herbie Hancock as a member of the Institute’s ensemble. He is also a Fulbright grant recipient for studies at Western Michigan University where he earned a master’s degree in jazz performance. He blends modern jazz with Ukrainian folk music and is also a composer and educator.

Tsvietinskyi began as a self-taught jazz trumpeter who grew up in a Ukrainian village where classical music prevailed and jazz was considered a foreign art form. He studied classical trumpet at Dnipro Music Academy before becoming one of the academy’s first jazz students in its new jazz department. He later became its first jazz trumpet instructor. Tsvietinskyi discovered recordings by Miles Davis, Chet Baker and others during college. He met a few other musicians with similar interests and a band was formed. He began developing the jazz scene in his area and began to compose. Eventually, through his educational experiences and performances, he was accepted into top-tier jazz performance groups touring Europe. 

In 2020, he was selected for Focusyear, a year-long ensemble residence program led by renowned guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel in Basel, Switzerland. In 2024, Yakiv participated in the International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert in Morocco, sharing the stage with legendary artist Femi Kuti.

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Tsvietinskyi paused playing the trumpet and joined a volunteer team of jazz musicians who assisted with military logistics and humanitarian aid.

The death of his cousin Mykola Tsvietinskyi during the war inspired his return to the art form and its power to inspire. He composed Mykola, a 20-minute-long piece that premiered at The Festival of New Trumpet Music, directed by Dave Douglas. 

For more details about his inspiring story click here.

Pierce Street Jazz band members Franklin, who also organizes talent for each show, pianist Saunders and drummer Smith all hold extensive experience as international performers and recording artists. Saunders is also a composer who has directed music for opera productions and international musical theater.

Franklin, a Riverside area resident, he has pursued a professional musical career since 1959 and has performed on stage and in the studio with many greats from ‘60s star Hugh Masekela to Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Freddie Hubbard, Count Basie and many others. He has played on and produced more than 150 recordings including gold releases, and appeared at venues around the U.S., South America, Europe and Asia. Southern California performance locales have included Riverside’s historic Mission Inn where he played for 13 years. 

In February 2023, Franklin was awarded Outstanding Jazz Album-Instrumental for the 2023 NAACP Image Awards along with producers Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge. 

Saunders, who is also a composer, has performed in many of the world’s most prestigious festivals and concert halls with distinguished artists including Freddie Hubbard, Carla Bley, David “Fathead” Newman, Gladys Knight, and many others. He has directed music for opera productions and international musical theatre. He also has numerous compositions to his credit as well as original scores for theatre, radio and multimedia production.

Smith, a former member of the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” band, is known for his versatility across jazz styles and his work with jazz greats including Sonny Rollins and Art Farmer. Born in Illinois, Smith grew up surrounded by music and received training at a young age. After graduating from Berklee College of Music, Smith earned credibility as an accomplished drummer and composer. He has appeared on more than 200 albums and remains a prominent figure in the jazz world.

La Sierra University and the Zapara School of Business are located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside. For further information call 951-785-2016 or email [email protected].