Wycliffe Gordon
Encyclopedia
Wycliffe Gordon is a jazz
trombonist. He also plays didgeridoo
, trumpet, tuba, piano and sings.
In 1995, he re-orchestrated the theme song for NPR's All Things Considered
. Gordon's is the third version of the easily recognized tune, first penned by Don Voegeli in 1976.
Wycliffe Gordon came from a strongly religious background (his father was a church organist) that influenced the early direction of his music. He became interested in jazz at thirteen inspired by an aunt's music collection. His interest at that time was mostly the earlier musicians like Louis Armstrong
His early works as a professional were with Wynton Marsalis
, but in recent years he has expanded beyond swing and has experimented with new instruments. The strongest example of this might be The Search where he plays didgeridoo
and does Thelonious Monk
songs. He has also played Gospel music.
With Marcus Roberts
With Randy Sandke
With Maurice Hines
With Jay Leonhart
With Ron Westray
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trombonist. He also plays didgeridoo
Didgeridoo
The didgeridoo is a wind instrument developed by Indigenous Australians of northern Australia around 1,500 years ago and still in widespread usage today both in Australia and around the world. It is sometimes described as a natural wooden trumpet or "drone pipe"...
, trumpet, tuba, piano and sings.
In 1995, he re-orchestrated the theme song for NPR's All Things Considered
All Things Considered
All Things Considered is the flagship news program on the American network National Public Radio. It was the first news program on NPR, and is broadcast live worldwide through several outlets...
. Gordon's is the third version of the easily recognized tune, first penned by Don Voegeli in 1976.
Wycliffe Gordon came from a strongly religious background (his father was a church organist) that influenced the early direction of his music. He became interested in jazz at thirteen inspired by an aunt's music collection. His interest at that time was mostly the earlier musicians like Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
His early works as a professional were with Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Learson Marsalis is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, music educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Marsalis has promoted the appreciation of classical and jazz music often to young audiences...
, but in recent years he has expanded beyond swing and has experimented with new instruments. The strongest example of this might be The Search where he plays didgeridoo
Didgeridoo
The didgeridoo is a wind instrument developed by Indigenous Australians of northern Australia around 1,500 years ago and still in widespread usage today both in Australia and around the world. It is sometimes described as a natural wooden trumpet or "drone pipe"...
and does Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"...
songs. He has also played Gospel music.
As leader
- "Slidin' Home" Criss Cross Records. 1999.
- "The Search." Criss Cross Records. 2000.
- "The Gospel Truth." Criss Cross Records. 2000.
- "What You Dealin' With." Criss Cross Records. 2001.
- "United Soul Experience." Criss Cross Records. 2002.
- "Dig This!" Criss Cross Records. 2003.
- "In The Cross" Criss Cross Records. 2004.
- "Cones Coup." Criss Cross Records. 2006
- "Storyville." Criss Cross Records. 2006.
- "Bloozebluzeblues." Criss Cross Records. 2007.
- "Boss Bones." Criss Cross Records. 2009.
- "Cone and T-Staff." Criss Cross Records. 2010
- "The Word." Criss Cross Records 2011
- "Hello Pops, a tribute to Louie Armstrong" Criss Cross Records. 2011
As sideman
With John AllredJohn Allred (musician)
John Allred is an American jazz trombonist. He is the son of another jazz trombonist, Bill Allred.Immediately after graduating high school, John Allred moved to southern California and started his professional music career with the Jazz Minors, a six-piece Dixieland group at Disneyland in Anaheim...
- John Allred & Wycliffe Gordon: Head To Head (Arbors RecordsArbors RecordsArbors Records is an independent American jazz record label based in Clearwater, Florida. It was founded by the family team of Mat and Rachel Domber in 1989, initially devoted to the recordings of their friend Rick Fay.-History:...
)
With Marcus Roberts
Marcus Roberts
Marcus Roberts is an American jazz pianist who has achieved fame as a stride pianist committed to celebrating classic standards and jazz traditions. Roberts has also distinguished his solos by accompanying himself with walking basslines...
- Deep in the ShedDeep in the ShedDeep in the Shed is the second studio album by the blind jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, a protégé of trumpet player Wynton Marsalis. The album features Roberts playing chords on his left hand and "somewhat dark improvisations that burst into fireworks less often than you'd expect" with his right hand...
(Novus 1989)
With Randy Sandke
Randy Sandke
Randy Sandke is a jazz trumpeter and guitarist.In an interview with Larry Kart he said: "I got into jazz kind of chronologically, beginning with Bix and Louis, then Dizzy, Clifford Brown, Miles, and Freddie Hubbard. I also studied at Roosevelt University with Renold Schilke, a legendary teacher...
- The Music of Bob HaggartBob HaggartRobert Sherwood Haggart was a dixieland jazz double bass player, composer and arranger...
Featuring His Porgy and Bess Arrangements (Arbors RecordsArbors RecordsArbors Records is an independent American jazz record label based in Clearwater, Florida. It was founded by the family team of Mat and Rachel Domber in 1989, initially devoted to the recordings of their friend Rick Fay.-History:...
)
With Maurice Hines
Maurice Hines
Maurice Hines is an American actor, director, jazz singer and choreographer.Born in New York City, Hines began his career at the age of five, studying tap dance at the Henry LeTang Dance Studio in Manhattan. LeTang recognized his talent and began choreographing numbers specifically for him and his...
- Maurice Hines: To Nat "King" Cole With Love (Arbors RecordsArbors RecordsArbors Records is an independent American jazz record label based in Clearwater, Florida. It was founded by the family team of Mat and Rachel Domber in 1989, initially devoted to the recordings of their friend Rick Fay.-History:...
)
With Jay Leonhart
Jay Leonhart
Jay Leonhart is a noted bassist and songwriter working in jazz and popular music. He has performed with diverse artists including Judy Garland, Carly Simon, Bucky Pizzarelli, Sting, and Frank Sinatra...
- Wycliffe Gordon & Jay Leonhart: This Rhythm on My Mind (Bluesback Records).2006
With Ron Westray
Ron Westray
Ronald Kenneth Westray, Jr. is an American jazz trombonist, composer, and educator. He holds a B.A. from South Carolina State University and a Master of Arts degree from Eastern Illinois University...
- Wycliffe Gordon & Ron Westray: Bone Structure (Atlantic Jazz).1996