From “The Solo Projects: Vol. 1”
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"INTERGRATION" The Solo Projects: Vol. 1

STEPHEN R. GORDON, a native of Charlotte, N.C., began exploring the realms of artistry at the age of 4 years old, having his parents and relatives sign him up for private lessons on piano after hearing him pick out melodies of hymns they were singing in church.   "I have to give the credit of growing up listening to great music to my parents and my family, they are the ones who hipped me to Gospel, R&B, Soul, Jazz and Folk music, and because of that extensive institution, I went on to find music that I truly loved, and for the right reasons."  Having many artistic references from music to visual art to photography to musical theatre, Gordon pursued a path that has opened many opportunities for him and those around him.  Gordon's musical aspirations began to develop when he attended Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, N.C. and began to play the trumpet and many of the instruments in the brass family in the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and in many of the pit orchestras, which led him to venture into All-District and All-State Wind Ensembles, Symphonies and Big Band Jazz Ensembles within North Carolina.  Upon graduating Northwest in 2002, Gordon continued to pursue the path, moving to new cities, extensive traveling and touring, playing and forming relationships with some of the finest artists of this (and any) musical era - in respect - ranging in many genres, including musicians and social icons such as Pianist Ellis Marsalis, Drummer Mike Clark, Trumpeter Bobby Shew, Percussionist Bill Summers, Vocalist Kurt Elling, Saxophonist Donald Harrison, Pianist Aaron Goldberg, Drummer Herlin Riley, Saxophonist Dick Oatts, Vibraphonist/Drummer Jason Marsalis, Guitarist Steve Masakowski, Trombonist Wayne Henderson, Vocalist Germaine Bazzle, Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, Trumpeter/Arranger Billy Spencer, Poet Abidune Olyewole (The Last Poets) and Trombonist Fred Wesley - Only to name a few.  In 2003 at the age of 18, Gordon was selected as one of three finalist out of the nation of young pianists to compete for the pianist chair in a hand selected quintet forming The Brubeck Institute (in honor of pianist Dave Brubeck) at The University of the Pacific in Stockton, C.A., of which the musical direction was led by world renouned bassist Christian McBride (Sting, Joshua Redman) and J.B. Dyas.  
​Aside from performing and touring, Gordon has pursued the education of music to all ages, especially our young people.  His teaching affiliations are thru The University of New Orleans, The New Orleans Jazz Institute, volunteering in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg public school system, Community School of the Arts, Queens University (Charlotte, NC), Central Piedmont Community College (Charlotte, NC), Smith Language Academy, The Charlotte Jazz Society, and has had many opportunities to travel doing clinics and masterclasses at colleges and universities.  Gordon is the music director for the tenth season off-broadway production "Miles and Coltrane: The Blue Sessions" written/produced by On Q Productions/Concrete Generation/Stephen Gordon, which is constantly traveling nationwide and across the world.  Stephen R. Gordon resides in Charlotte, N.C.

"INTERGRATION" The Solo Projects: Vol. 1

STEPHEN GORDON