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Trumpeter/composer Terry Gordon holds music degrees from Houghton College and Mansfield University, and performs regularly throughout the northeast and beyond with several groups, including Alex Torres y su Orquesta, the Arch Stanton Quartet, Brass-O-Mania, the Empire Jazz Orchestra, and Keith Pray’s Big Soul Ensemble. As leader of the Terry Gordon Quintet he has released four C.D.s, Wakeup Call (Buttonhooks – 1997), Contemplations (Flying Gurnard – 2002), Homeward Bound (WEPA – 2006), and Tomorrow Calling (WEPA – 2013). He has has appeared at major venues such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, the Cairo International Jazz Festival (Egypt), the Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival, Syracuse’s Jazz In The Square, Musikfest (Bethlehem, Pa.), Lincoln Center’s Saturday night salsa series, and several other festivals around the country, and has also appeared in programs with Bobby Rydell, Leslie Gore, and The Temptations. With Alex Torres he has recorded four acclaimed C.D.s on WEPA Records, including the band’s most recent release, Anejo, and with the Empire Jazz Orchestra has recorded five C.D.s and backed up such jazz luminaries as Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Randy Brecker, Slide Hampton, Rufus Reid, Lew Soloff, Wycliffe Gordon, and David “Fathead” Newman. In 2005 he received a New York State arts grant for composition to compose a work for jazz group with strings, which the Terry Gordon Quintet premiered with the Upper Catskill String Quartet. The Terry Gordon Quintet was begun in 1992 focusing on creative original compositions and adventurous improvisation, and has appeared at many jazz venues in upstate New York. Tomorrow Calling: “This group’s strengths are many, from the proven writing skills of Gordon and saxophonist Eric Walentowicz, to the always-fiery approach of guitarist Michael-Louis Smith.” Homeward Bound: “a fine disc of nine new jazz compositions…reflect(ing) a blend of tradition and improvisation.” “The rhythm section…cook(s) at just the right temperature to serve this disc up nearly perfectly.” “a great date filled with solid performances and inspired compositions.” -- Albany Jazz Contemplations: “high marks for the extent to which they ‘pushed the boundaries’ of traditional forms and styles…in a live set this variety would certainly get noticed; something for everyone” – Cadence Magazine “marvelous fluegelhorn…top notch players.” -- Times Union, Albany, N.Y. Wakeup Call: “From turbulent progressive tunes to flawless traditional-style material, their blend of chaos and clarity is remarkable…an extraordinary group.” -- Metroland, Albany, N.Y. |
