2020 Project Journal 1
5/30/2023 2:11:25 AM -

Hey folks! It's great to be back in the middle of an artistshare project! I'm especially excited about this one, as I've been hoping to revisit this nonet context for some time. I've been thinking about and writing music for this ensemble on and off since the Evolution CD in 09, that was based around this type of group. I got two groups together ealier this year, one in NYC, and one in Winnipeg, (where I teach), to read through some of the music. I was unsure of how and where I would put the recording together. But once the pandemic hit it became clear that if I were to go ahead and record the project I'd likely have to do at least some of it remotely. So I decided to begin the project in Winnipeg, with a rhythm section comprised of current and former faculty and students from our jazz program at the Univ. of Manitoba, including Will Bonness, Jocelyn Gould, Julian Bradford and Fabio Ragnelli. We had recently recorded a CD of Will's at a nice local studio here in Winnipeg, Sterobus Recording, run by Paul Yee. There's lots of isolation there, so it allowed us to record more safely than if we were all in the same room. Derrick Gardner, our jazz trumpet professor, will also be playing trumpet on the project. My old friends in NYC, John Ellis and Alan Ferber, will be playing bass clarinet, tenor, and trombone, respectively. John is one of my favorite saxophone players, and Alan's one of my favorite trombonists, composers and arrangers. Alan, who's a multi Grammy nominated arranger, was an assistant producer on Evolution and will be again on this project, and will be helping out with doing some instrumentation on a couple of charts. Orrin Evans, one of my favorite pianists, will be playing on a tune or two, along with several former students, including Reginald Lewis, Anna Blackmore and Tristan Martinuson. We started rehearsals in late September and have done some recording earlier this month in October. I'm now in the process of choosing takes and making edits as...

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Evolution recieves rave reviews!...

Evolution picked as one of the TOP 10 Jazz Releases of 2009 by Jazz journalist Gene Seymour.
Evolution picked as one of the top Jazz c.d’s released in 09 by Jazz Journalist Neil Tesser.
The Jazz Journal-"Evolution was one of the Best Jazz Records of 2009"- Brian Morton
Evolution picked as one of the Top Jazz Releases of 09 by the Penguin Guide to Jazz.
All About Jazz Italy- Evolution rated 4+1/2 stars out of 5.
The term "chamber jazz" seems inadequate to describe the brilliant music on the new CD by saxophonist Jon Gordon... clearly a stunning ensemble recording. - Rochester City Paper, Ron Netsky


WITHIN WORLDS selected as best of 08 and the decade by Down Beat
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"Gordon has created a multi faceted statement that invites repeated investigations. He's onto something important."- 4 + 1/2 Stars-Kirk Silsbee- Down Beat

Jon Gordon is a master. His compositions, improvisation, tone, and technical virtuosity set him apart as an elite musician for our time.-Jazz Improv NY-Brandon Bernstein

Jon Gordon is easily one of the top alto saxophonists of his generation.-Ken Dryden-All About Jazz
WAYNE SHORTER

WAYNE SHORTER-"Gordon has embraced the history of his instrument, carrying with it the ability to extend music as a universal language."

Bye-ya Duo Unedited

Duo with Bill Charlap

Evolution CD
Welcome to the Evolution CD Participant Offer where it is my pleasure to share the creation of this new work with you through ArtistShare.  As a...
interview + The Things We Need