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Gordon James

Seasoned performer, composer, trumpeter and flugelhornist Gordon James has a unique style of music blending the worlds of Jazz, Latin, R&B, Pop and hip hop music. James states, "My music is both funky and lyrical; the arrangements are hip and polished and the flugelhorn and muted trumpet are perfect for conveying the passion of my compositions". That passion is evident in his new release In Joy, which was produced by Bob Baldwin, and James Lloyd from Pieces of a Dream and features Chuck Loeb.

On Stage

Gordon has appeared with or opened for such artists as Roy Ayres, Angela Bofill, Bobby Caldwell, Alex Bugnon, Pieces of a Dream, Chuck Loeb, Cassandra Wilson and others - The band has worked such venues as The Newark Jazz Festival, Asbury Park Jazz Fest, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Bethlehem Musikfest, Red Bank Jazz In The Park, Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival, The Original Cool Cruise and has also appeared on the NJ Network and done shows for Suburban, Monmouth and Comcast Cablevisions.

More recently James and his group performed at the Jazz Masters on the Bay festival in Norfolk, VA with Pieces of a Dream, Marcus Johnson, Bob Baldwin, Chuck Loeb and Phil Perry. Gordon was not only a huge hit with his own group but also performed with Bob Baldwin and Chuck Loeb for a couple of songs on their set.

Accomplishments

A graduate of The Interlochen Arts Academy and The Hartt College of Music, Gordon has studied and performed with such artists as trumpeter Ted Curson, a Charles Mingus alumni, saxophonist Eric Kloss, and Johnny Guitar Watson. James released his first CD Candlelight Love in the mid-nineties. The CD features world renowned guitarist Vic Juris in a rare contemporary jazz setting and percussionist Manolo Badrena of Weather Report and Spyro Gyra. Candlelight Love received much attention here in the US and in England. Jonathan Widran of Jazziz Magazine said of the album, "James knows how to whip his band into exotic colors and stirs up some highly amiable cool craziness”.

Gordon's second CD received rave reviews in the US, Europe, South America and Australia. His original track "Shades of Brown" has been included on the January 2000 compilation CD for Jazz FM, London's premiere smooth jazz station. The CD features keyboardist James Lloyd from the acclaimed jazz group Pieces of a Dream and offers a colorful set that crosses many musical boundaries and should appeal to a wide audience.

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Album Review

Gordon James: Gordon James

Read "Gordon James" reviewed by Dave Hughes


On trumpeter/flugelhornist Gordon James' eponymous CD, he alternates between the currently popular muted trumpet (a la Rick Braun or Chris Botti) and the mellower flugelhorn. While there is sufficient variety on the program, most of the selections fall somewhere between smooth jazz and lite R&B, often with the rhythmic edge of drum programs. His solos, while not pushing the boundaries of adventurousness, are well-constructed and fit the moods of the tunes nicely. Many of the songs have a ...

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There are not too many smooth jazz trumpeters or flugelhornists in this industry. Rick Braun and Chris Botti are having superb success within the market. Well guys, make room for one more: Gordon James. James is a break from the pack by combining the musical worlds of Soul, Acid Jazz, Hip Hop, Latin, Pop and Jazz. “I have listened to this album over and over again, and have not grown tired of it yet. Gordon James talent should be discovered by the world.” Fred Scott �" Contemporary jazz.com

“It’s a wild ride from beginning to end, and the high energy Gordon brings to his phrasing pulls it all together.” Jazzman Online

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

In Joy

Caress Music
2007

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Gordon James

Caress Music
2000

buy

Candlelight Love

Blue Note
1995

buy

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