John William Gordon

Artist Information

Biography

LIVE SHOW REVIEW
"The whole experience was absolutely mind-blowing. While talking to some of my friends after the show, I discovered that I was not the only person who didn't want to get up for concessions during the set due to the fear of missing something great." - The Racquette, State University of New York, Oct 23, 2009, Full Review: "An evening of jazz virtuosity in Hurley's"

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John grew up and resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. He started playing guitar at age 14 after becoming obsessed with recordings of Mahavishnu Orchestra. In college he fixated on the music of Charlie Parker then Thelonious Monk. Jazz, free, rock, punk and classical music inspire him. He still plays in a piano-less Monk cover band. Along the way he studied guitar with Harry Andrew (a graduate of New England Conservatory) and Adam Levy (long before his stint with Norah Jones) and learned much in Attila Zoller’s Vermont workshops with Jim Hall and others.

As one radio listener put it:
"I am a local jazz guitar player, and was thoroughly impressed by your style. I live right between New York and Philly, and have heard some of the best players in the world, but I hadn't heard anything quite like your playing.... I hear everything from Monk to Ornette Coleman to Led Zeppelin in it. I heard your cd while traveling on Friday morning 2/24 between 9 and 10 am. ...Rutgers college station (WRSU) played your entire CD without interruption." Eric D., NJ, USA

Trio personnel (varies for live shows):
=================
First two CDs:
Drummer: Rick Rivera from Boston and San Francisco.
Bassists: Jeff Chambers, Todd Sickafoose, Gabe Davis

LIVE
Drummers: Rob Rhodes, Nick Fishman
Bassists: Jeff Chambers, Gabe Davis

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Bassist Jeff Chambers played on the 1st CD and sometimes tours with us. He's played with Billy Cobham, Freddie Hubbard and many jazz heavies.
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Bassist Gabe Davis played on the 2nd CD and tours with us. In high school, Gabe settled on bass after a dispute in a Green Day cover band. He's since played in jazz, rock, funk and techno bands, even classical orchestras. Music takes Gabe throughout the U.S. and Europe.
=================
Drummer Rob Rhodes played on the 2nd CD and lives in Oakland, California. He plays jazz, R&B, funk and even heavy metal throughout the Bay Area and across the U.S. Rob plays with deep passion regardless of the style.

Instrumentation

John William Gordon - Electric Guitar
Gabe Davis - Electric Bass, Acoustic bass
Jeff Chambers - Acoustic bass
Rob Rhodes - Drums.
Nick Fishman - Drums.

Discography

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2nd CD: "Technot" (2009)
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WRIU 90.3 FM University of Rhode Island
WNHU 88.7 FM University of New Haven, CT
KKUP 91.5 FM Cupertino, CA (No Pigeonholes Show + radio-marabu.de, Germany)
WVOF 88.5 FM Upper Room Show, Bridgeport, CT
WAIH 90.3 FM The Way, Postdam S.U.N.Y., NY "Really dig it! Great stuff." Ben O'Brien Smith
KQAL Winona, MN "I absolutely loved your CD!" Sarah Huenecke, Jazz Director
KSYM 90.1 FM San Antonio, TX "I'm quite impressed...." Kris Zebrowski, host of "Straight, No Chaser"
Eclectic Mix Podcast: Show 228 -- John William Gordon
Muzic.com Jackpot Winning Selection: Track #2: Quarter of Nothing & more Muzic.com praise

==========================
1st CD: "John William Gordon" (2006)
==========================

CD radio play
KZSU 90.1 FM Stanford University/CA
WOBC 91.5 FM Oberlin College/OH
WRSU 88.7 FM Rutgers University/NJ (played entire CD from start to finish during rush hour)
WVFS 89.7 FM Florida State University
KBGA 89.9 FM University of Montana
KUMD 103.3 FM University of Minnesota
KHUM 104.3 FM Humboldt County/CA
WEIU 88.9 FM Charleston/IL ("Jazz Lounge" show)
KKUP 91.5 FM Cupertino/CA ("No Pigeonholes Show") and we played live on air twice
+ radio-marabu.de, Germany (via KKUP)
WRUW FM 91.1 Cleveland/OH
Aural-Innovations.com ("Drool Through Show" #42)
209radio FM Cambridge/UK
WRFW 88.7 FM University of Wisconsin/Electrorganic Show
KZUM 89.3 FM Lincoln/Nebraska
Uptown Jazz Network/Live365.com

============================
FINALIST: ISC 2007- International Songwriting Competition - 2007 (in progress now), judged by Ornette Coleman and John Scofield.

The New York Times calls the ISC - International Songwriting Competition,"The songwriting competition to take note of...."

SEMI-FINALIST: ISC 2006 - International Songwriting Competition. 2 CD tracks ("Harm Alarm" and "Belly's Bounce") made the semi-final round in Instrumental category for 2006 (announced in 2007).

============================

LA Music Awards Nomination 2007
Los Angeles Music Awards, 2007
"Distillery" (track #2 from the CD) nominated for the main event in November 2007.

"On behalf of our entire staff, the 17th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards are proud to inform you that you have won a prestigious nomination for this year's main event scheduled for Thursday, November 29th [2007] in Hollywood. Congratulations!"

============================

What some radio directors have said:

"Your CD is really excellent. Tasteful but daring, technically superior but still has emotional depth. A resounding success.... It's a tremendous disc, I can't wait to get it on the air."

-- Don Campau, "No Pigeoholes" radio show
KKUP 91.5 FM, California, USA (also broadcast in Europe on www.RadioMaruba.de, Germany)
~~~~~~~~~~~

"I'm listening to it now. I like it! ...I plan on featuring this recording on future shows of mine, and I bet other DJ's will, too."

-- Seth Samuel, Jazz Director, WOBC Radio, Oberlin College/OH, USA
~~~~~~~~~~~

"Thanks a ton for your CD.... As 'mutant' as your jazz is, I think it will fit in perfectly with some of our new material.... Again, thanks a lot for the tracks, and keep on playing and experimenting."

-- Bryce Peake, Jazz Director, "Jazz Lounge" radio show WEIU 88.9 FM, Illinois, USA
~~~~~~~~~~~

"It is also rare to receive a CD so vibrant and compelling. From the first few notes I knew I had found something good. Your album has been added to our playlist, where it will chart in our top 30. This week it is number 1 on our jazz chart, and I have gotten 'cool albums' from non-jazz DJs. The cover art is great. I think you nailed this one. Are you looking for label representation?"

-- Benjamin Weiss, Jazz Director
KBGA 89.9 FM, University of Montana, USA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Additionally...

"Your CD has been selected as 'Best of the Batch' and is featured on the Mi2N.com [Music Industry News Network] and MusicDish.net homepages as well as myspace page. We really enjoyed your album which has been in regular rotation in the office."

-- Eric, (May 18, 2006)
MusicDish.net, USA

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• Twitter
• Main website
• MySpace
• Mutant Jazz Trio

Audio

• CD1: Harm Alarm
  Listen  
• CD2: Quarter of Nothing
  Listen  
• CD1: Quidnunc Mo
  Listen  
• CD2: Technot
  Listen  
• LIVE @ Oberlin: Ripper Snapper
  Listen  
• LIVE @ Oberlin: Back Room Flow
  Listen  
• CD1: Belly's Bounce
  Listen  
• CD1: That Old Dream
  Listen  

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Live Show Review - State University of New York [+ Show ]
  

  By: Carter Jones 10/23/09 ... "The whole experience was absolutely mind-blowing. While talkin...By: Carter Jones
  10/23/09
  
  ...
  
  "The whole experience was absolutely mind-blowing. While talking to some of my friends after the show, I discovered that I was not the only person who didn't want to get up for concessions during the set due to the fear of missing something great. If you are a fan of live music, you should definitely try to see both of these bands the next time they play...."
  
  FULL REVIEW
  http://media.www.theracquette.com/media/storage/paper1301/news/2009/10/23/Ae/An.Evening.Of.Jazz.Virtuosity.In.Hurleys-3811155.shtml

• SOS Metal Reviews....John William Gordon: Technot [+ Show ]
  

  JOHN WILLIAM GORDON: TECHNOT Calling his modern blend of music “mutant jazz”, acclaimed San Franc...JOHN WILLIAM GORDON: TECHNOT
  
  Calling his modern blend of music “mutant jazz”, acclaimed San Francisco guitarist John William Gordon contrives a fiery fusion that deftly combines jazz and rock auras on latest release Technot. This 10-track eclectic exhibition throws down a dazzling and dizzying instrumental smorgasbord showcasing both Gordon’s smoking six-string benedictions with the rest of his trio’s solid chops propelling a smoldering experimental take on traditional standards and practices. Imparting a world music exercise for outer space, Gordon and crew consistently display a vigilant virtuosity that commands attention while their free-form jams like “GVOL” and “Back Room Flow” convey the proper atmosphere needed which increases the headspace in order to wander. www.johnwilliamgordon.com -Mike SOS

• ISC 2007 FINALIST [+ Show ]
  

  "Quidnunc Mo" from the 1st CD was a finalist in the jazz category judged by Ornette Coleman and John..."Quidnunc Mo" from the 1st CD was a finalist in the jazz category judged by Ornette Coleman and John Scofield.

• Selected as "Best of the Batch" [+ Show ]
  

  "Your CD has been selected as a 'Best of the Batch' and is featured on the Mi2N.com [Music Industry ..."Your CD has been selected as a 'Best of the Batch' and is featured on the Mi2N.com [Music Industry News Network] and MusicDish.net homepages as well as myspace page. We really enjoyed your album which has been in regular rotation in the office."
  
  -- Eric, (May 18, 2006)
  MusicDish.net, USA
  
  
  
  
  

• Radio Music Director - KKUP [+ Show ]
  

  "Your CD is really excellent. Tasteful but daring, technically superior but still has emotional dept..."Your CD is really excellent. Tasteful but daring, technically superior but still has emotional depth. A resounding success.... It's a tremendous disc, I can't wait to get it on the air."
  
  -- Don Campau, "No Pigeoholes" radio show
  KKUP 91.5 FM, California, USA (also broadcast in Europe on www.RadioMaruba.de, Germany)
  
  
  
  
  

• Radio Music Director - WOBC [+ Show ]
  

  "I'm listening to it now. I like it! ...I plan on featuring this recording on future shows of mine, ..."I'm listening to it now. I like it! ...I plan on featuring this recording on future shows of mine, and I bet other DJ's will, too."
  
  -- Seth Samuel, Jazz Director, WOBC Radio, Oberlin College/OH, USA
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Radio Music Director - KBGA [+ Show ]
  

  "It is also rare to receive a CD so vibrant and compelling. From the first few notes I knew I had fo..."It is also rare to receive a CD so vibrant and compelling. From the first few notes I knew I had found something good. Your album has been added to our playlist, where it will chart in our top 30. This week it is number 1 on our jazz chart, and I have gotten 'cool albums' from non-jazz DJs. The cover art is great. I think you nailed this one. Are you looking for label representation?"
  
  -- Benjamin Weiss, Jazz Director
  KBGA 89.9 FM, University of Montana, USA
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Radio Music Director - WEUI [+ Show ]
  

  "Thanks a ton for your CD.... As 'mutant' as your jazz is, I think it will fit in perfectly with som..."Thanks a ton for your CD.... As 'mutant' as your jazz is, I think it will fit in perfectly with some of our new material.... Again, thanks a lot for the tracks, and keep on playing and experimenting."
  
  -- Bryce Peake, Jazz Director, "Jazz Lounge" radio show
  WEIU 88.9 FM, Illinois, USA
  
  
  
  
  
  

• 2009 Radio Music Director - WAIH
  

  "Really dig it! Great stuff." Ben O'Brien Smith, Music Director

• 2009 Radio Music Director - KSYM
  

  "I'm quite impressed...." Kris Zebrowski, host of "Straight, No Chaser"

• 2009 Radio Music Director - KQAL
  

  "I absolutely loved your CD!" Sarah Huenecke, Jazz Director

Setlist

We can perform sets of any length because we have two full CDs of originals we play on gigs.

Basic Requirements

Calendar