2026 Jazz Aid Fund awardee Trevor Strohl brings two decades of saxophone experience and a Jazz Studies degree from SJSU to Bay Area performances, incorporating EWI and vocoder to create a distinctive sound. As bandleader of Character Select, he merges jazz, funk and rock in original arrangements of video game music from retro classics to contemporary titles. He’ll give the world premiere of his San Jose Jazz-commissioned “Gone” at his New Works Fest set.

Strohl performs with diverse ensembles including Frunkyman, 7th Street Big Band, Take 2 Dance Band and Sonora San Jose. His technical versatility allows him to navigate seamlessly between traditional big band settings and cutting-edge fusion projects, while his high-energy performances and unconventional approach to electronic wind instruments set him apart in the region’s competitive jazz scene, showcasing an evolving artistic vision that bridges multiple musical worlds.