Biography

Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon (b. 1967) first came into contact with jazz when he was thirteen through records he inherited from his great-aunt. The young Gordon fell in love with the music, particularly that of Louis Armstrong. This passion for jazz classics continued into his professional career, with much of his success coming from his work with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center, which seeks to preserve early jazz and big band music. He has played with Wynton Marsalis since 1989, and joined the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in 1995 as part of the group’s first iteration. Outside of this work, Wycliffe Gordon has recorded extensively as a leader. Although many of his projects focus on music in the styles of greats like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, albums like Dig This!! (2003) have a much more contemporary feel. No matter the style however, all of Gordon’s records feature his often mind-blowing chops. These impressive skills have earned him numerous accolades, including Downbeat Magazine’s Critic’s Poll “Best Trombonist” six times, and the Jazz Journalists Association’s “Trombonist of the Year” award 14 times as of 2021.