Artist Information Biography 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 fan 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 ================= Drummer Rick Rivera played on both CDs. He also recorded a couple of CDs with avant garde pianist, Thollem McDonas and several other CDs with other unusual players.  Rick's Boston accent sometimes sneaks out after he's had a few. ================= Bassist Ryan Lukas relocated to California in 2007 from upstate NY with intense enthusiasm but no accent. Ryan's work in bands encompass many styles -- Afro-beat, Hip Hop, Funk, Rock, Jazz and Fusion. Accomplished on both acoustic and electric bass, Ryan teaches bass at Santa Clara University and BandWorks School of Rock. His recordings with the jazz band “Brian Patneaude Quartet” and the Latin band “Alex Torres y su Orquestra” get radio play worldwide. ================= OTHERS from time to time Bassist Gabe Davis played on the 2nd CD and tours with us. Born into a musical family, Gabe really didn't have much of a choice about becoming a musician. He settled on bass after a dispute in a Green Day cover band. He's since played in jazz, rock, funk and techno bands -- and 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. ================= 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.  Chambers’s killer musical flair and groove -- dancing fingers, really – make him a pleasure to play with. ================= Bassist Todd Sickafoose pitched in whole heartedly on the 1st CD.  Todd lives in Brooklyn, NY. He tours with Ani Difranco as her sole accompanist and also finds time to play with other wonderful players. Instrumentation John William Gordon - electric guitar Rick Rivera - drums Ryan Lukas - acoustic bass Also... Robert Rhodes - drums (records & gigs) Jeff Chambers - acoustic bass (records & gigs) Gabe Davis - acoustic bass (records & gigs) Discography ================== 2nd CD: "Technot" (2009) ================== 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 http://www.johnwilliamgordon.com Main website MySpace