Yiannis Oikonomidis was born in Thessaloniki in 1970. He studied piano and music theory and then he received a trumpet diploma studying at the Kerkyra Conservatory with Sokratis Anthis. He had his first jazz trumpet lessons with Danny Hayes, who is his main influence.

He was a founding member of bands such as We’re Enough, Nariz, Jazz Frequency Quintet, Jazz Icons Sextet and Aroma Caribe Latin Orchestra (with the latter one he recorded the album Musica Latina in 2001). He has collaborated with artists such as Ray Vega, Herman Olivera, Roberto Pla, Theodossi Spassov, Chico Freeman, Alfredo Rodriguez and more.

His personal album "Neverland" was released in 2021.

He has taught trumpet and music ensembles at the Filippos Nakas Conservatory and since 2007 he has been teaching Jazz trumpet and improvisation at The Modern Conservatory of Thessaloniki.