Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Valve Trombone

For the last 20 years, Rick Jordan has been performing as a live and session, free lance trumpet artist.

In college at Colorado State University, he studied trumpet under the acclaimed Dr. Jacob Larson, with the intention of becoming an orchestral trumpet artist. Fulfilling the pedagogy for a performance degree and working toward and education degree, Rick became introduced into the Big Band Jazz genre. Working with best friend and high note trumpet player Alan Wise (who played with Maynard Ferguson for 9 years) he developed a very strong high range and began a pursuit of playing lead trumpet in big bands.

Out of school, he became a principle in the 80s era, cutting edge fusion band “Kinesis”. Since, Rick has performed with Louie Bellson, Bill Watrous, Bob James, Kitty Hawk, Woody Herman, Gato Barbieri, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker, Eric Marienthal, Eric Gunnison, Greg Gisbert, Rob McConnell and Boss Brass, Spyro Gyra, Sea Wind, Temptations, Four Tops, BJ Thomas, Clarence Clemons, The Platters, The Spinners, Frankie Valli, Sheena Easton, Dianna Krall, Bob Hope, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Joel Kaye’s Neophonic Orchestra, The Darren Kramer Organization, John Akal and the Ultraphonic Orchestra, Franz Roehmann’s Concert Jazz Orchestra, Conjunto Colores, Orquestra la Salsa, The Blooz Dogz, Chris Daniels and the Kings, Groove Machine, Soul X, Heartbeat, Boogielicious , Park Avenue and Tina Marx and the Millionaires

Name: Rick Jordan

College: Colorado State University

Major: Music

At The Music Room since: 2010

Music teacher who inspired me the most:  I cannot give this to one teacher. There were 5 that made all the difference during a very important time for me. Anthony Cribelli (Junior High Band Director and one who recognized interest, talent and created momentum for my musical future), Curtis Johnson (High School Band Director who continued to challenge and push me forward with the reward of more and greater challenges), Steve McNeal (High School Orchestra Director who showed us humility, how to be emotionally connected to music, each other and how to motivate and be motivated through spirit), Hal Eastburn (High School Choir Director who fed and challenged young musicians and voices to try and to be much more than anyone would expect from young people of our age), and last but certainly not least, Dr. Jacob Larson (my mentor, my motivation and my most important influence in trumpet performance and education). These are the educators that can be counted on one hand that made ALL of the difference in my life!

My best gig: Playing to 98,000 people at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado at the 1995 Cool Concert (backing Tommy James, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Junior Walker, and The Turtles).

Favorite classical piece:  Pines of Rome / Pines of the Appian Way - Respighi

Favorite jazz artist:  Michael Brecker

Favorite rock band: King Crimson

Favorite singer: Eva Cassidy

How I am making the world a better place:

One day at a time...one person at a time...starting with myself...today...and then again tomorrow.

Special Projects:

Performing and promoting myself as a free lance musician in all of the areas above. My website (www.rickjordantrumpet.com) has sound bites of live performance and studio performance in many musical genres.

My email address:

• rjordan@the-music-room.net