Silky Sound Records
July 12, 2021
Los Angeles-based trumpeter /singer /guitarist /band leader Ilya Serov has a passion for Jazz that knows no bounds. A talented young musician with an old soul, Serov brings an infusion of imagination, vision and energy to the many shades of America’s original musical art form. Possessing both chops and charisma, his live performances and recordings have attracted a solid following among jazz fans and seasoned musicians alike.
Serov has the creds to back up his competence. Russian born and classically trained, he was first introduced to the trumpet at the age of seven, and studied in an intense, five-year program at a demanding music academy. He won a rare and coveted scholarship to attend the prestigious St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music, and his talent as a classical trumpet player led to performances with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, the St. Petersburg State Symphony, and St. Petersburg State Opera Theatre.
While at the conservatory Ilya explored the local Jazz club scene, and exchanged tapes and records with friends and fellow musicians, which stoked his love of the genre even more. His earliest jazz influence was Arturo Sandoval, and he subsequently discovered Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra and Nat “King” Cole, eventually incorporating their sounds and vocal stylings into his own music.
Following his passion, Serov relocated to the United States in 2008 at the age of 21. He settled and set up shop in Los Angeles, and it didn’t take him long to establish a name for himself. As a solo artist or with his band, he was soon performing throughout the greater Los Angeles area, including well-known venues such as Spaghettini and the Catalina Club. In 2014 he was honored to be named Best New Artist at the Hollywood International Music Awards.
Serov has even dipped his toes into the Hollywood film scene, co-writing with composer Ludwig Göransson one of the main themes (Drago’s Walk Out) for the 2018 cinema sensation, Creed II. The film was directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starred Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Tessa Thompson.
While at the conservatory Ilya explored the local Jazz club scene, and exchanged tapes and records with friends and fellow musicians, which stoked his love of the genre even more. His earliest jazz influence was Arturo Sandoval, and he subsequently discovered Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra and Nat “King” Cole, eventually incorporating their sounds and vocal stylings into his own music.
Following his passion, Serov relocated to the United States in 2008 at the age of 21. He settled and set up shop in Los Angeles, and it didn’t take him long to establish a name for himself. As a solo artist or with his band, he was soon performing throughout the greater Los Angeles area, including well-known venues such as Spaghettini and the Catalina Club. In 2014 he was honored to be named Best New Artist at the Hollywood International Music Awards.
Serov has even dipped his toes into the Hollywood film scene, co-writing with composer Ludwig Göransson one of the main themes (Drago’s Walk Out) for the 2018 cinema sensation, Creed II. The film was directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starred Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Tessa Thompson.
After hearing Serov perform, Smooth Jazz sensation Dave Koz offered him the opportunity to join his popular Dave Koz and Friends at Sea Jazz Cruise as a guest artist. Over the past two years, Ilya has performed on cruises throughout Europe and Australia with Koz and other Smooth Jazz greats, sharing the stage with the likes of Jonathan Butler, David Benoit, Larry Graham, Peter White and BeBe Winans. He has also been featured on The Dave Koz Lounge on SiriusXM’s Watercolors, as well as on KJAZZ 88.1FM, expanding his fan base to include smooth jazz afficionados worldwide.
Ilya Serov is driven today not only by his desire to preserve jazz as an American treasure, but by a mission to engage and educate new generations of listeners. He continues to focus exclusively on contributing his time and talent to the world of jazz - its past, present and future.
"Ilya really is a talented trumpeter and a great singer. This guy has got the goods. Ilya Serov - remember that name.” — Dave Koz
Ilya Serov is driven today not only by his desire to preserve jazz as an American treasure, but by a mission to engage and educate new generations of listeners. He continues to focus exclusively on contributing his time and talent to the world of jazz - its past, present and future.
"Ilya really is a talented trumpeter and a great singer. This guy has got the goods. Ilya Serov - remember that name.” — Dave Koz
