Gordon was born and raised in Sacramento, California, where his early influences included classical piano, traditional jazz, symphonies, and big bands. In high school he began to earn high recognition as a trumpet soloist, touring with bands such as the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Stars in Japan and Australia, as well as playing with greats such as Gerald Wilson , Benny Green , and Ernie Watts . While attending UC Berkeley (and earning a degree in genetics), Gordon worked with bay area luminaries such as Bevan Manson , Mike Zilber , Wayne Wallace , and John Santos . His bands and compositions saw debuts at Yoshi's in Oakland and the Fujitsu Concord Jazz Festival (opening for Chick Corea , Poncho Sanchez , and Karrin Allyson ), and he won 1st Place in the Bix Beiderbecke “Bix Lives†Jazz Award national competition.
After school, Gordon spent two years teaching and playing in Hyogo, Japan. In addition to appearing with his band at festivals, he also toured Europe (including the North Sea Festival) and was responsible for creating and coordinating a cultural/musical exchange tour between Takasago High School (Japan) and Rio Americano High School (California).
Gordon began studies at Berklee College of Music in 2005, as a recipient of the Berklee World Scholarship. He is a regular member of Greg Hopkin 's Concert Jazz Orchestra, with whom he has appeared at the IAJE Conference and with Max Weinberg , Jimmy Heath and Bob Mintzer . In addition, he has recorded for Danilo Perez and Tiger Okoshi, performed with Ralph Peterson, George Garzone , and Joe Lovano , and played for clinics with Makoto Ozone , Cuong Vu , and Dave Douglas , as well as for Berklee clinics in Finland and the U.S. His compositions and arrangements have been featured at venues around the world, most recently at the 2007 Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees game (a co-arrangement with Tiger Okoshi of the national anthem).
Gordon has been recognized twice with the Herb Pomeroy Award for jazz composition, the Art Farmer Award for brass performance, and the Clark Terry Award for brass performance. He has studied under the tutelage of Greg Hopkins , Hal Crook , Tiger Okoshi, Joanne Brackeen , George Garzone , Joe Lovano , Ed Tomassi, and Dave Santoro, among others. Recently Gordon was selected to join the inaugural New Orleans class of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz , which began in August 2007 at Loyola University , under the artistic direction of Terence Blanchard .
Just Friends - Monk Institute
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