About Me
Jordan Baskin has been in love with music from a young age. Throughout his childhood, Jordan remembers his musical schooling consisting of Led Zeppelin, Cream, Beethoven, Coltrane, and Mingus. Born and raised in Skokie, Illinois to very creative parents, Jordan was encouraged to explore diverse musical and artistic genres.Starting classical piano lessons from the age of 5 and later oboe, music became a necessary outlet for Jordan. By the age of 14, Jordan became interested in jazz and received guidance from Michael Kocour, a phenomenal Chicago-based pianist. Throughout his junior high and high school years Jordan had many exciting performance opportunities, tours to Europe & New York, IAJE performances, Ravinia Festival, and many state and national classical piano competitions. By the age of 18, Jordan received scholarship to attend Indiana University's school of music.During his stay at Indiana University he was very active in both the jazz and classical programs. Spending time under the tutelage of noted scholars Dr. David Baker, Dr. Billy Taylor, Evelyne Brancart, Dr. Luke Gillespie, and Steven Spooner gave Jordan the necessary theoretical and technical background for music. Jordan as an undergraduate was a member of David Baker's esteemed big band and performed nightly in the neighboring area. Jordan received his bachelor's in music in the spring of 2001, upon which he moved back to Chicago to take up residence.Jordan has maintained a very active musical schedule upon his return to Chicago and has had the pleasure to perform alongside Jamie Abersold, Ernie Adams, Michael Arnopol, Grazyna Auguscik, Zach Brock, Ari Brown, Dennis Carroll, Steve Coleman, George Fludas, Tom Garling, Doug Lawrence, Howard Levy, Jeff Parker, Rob Scheps, Mike Smith, Ira Sullivan, and many other great artists. Other highlights include participation in Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead residency, Ravinia Festival's Steans Institute of Jazz, the Banff International Jazz Workshop, performance at NAMM and the Symphony Center, several noted national festivals, multiple tours of Canada & the United States, recordings for Delmark, Sony Digital, Chicago Public Radio,Cellar Live, and other independent labels.
