A Tribute to Wes Montgomery

Acclaimed jazz guitarist and DC native son Jerry Gordon returns to Westminster with his swinging band.  Featuring Jerroll Pennerman on piano, Emory Diggs on bass, and Johnny Jones on drums.

“His tone and lyrical approach, which owe much to Wes Montgomery, result in music that's exceedingly sweet, pretty, and swinging. Despite the obvious debt, Jerry Gordon's effortless choruses throughout his straight-ahead set constantly prove that he's doing much more than copying. Beautiful, consistent playing.” -Jim Ferguson, Jazz Times Magazine

Westminster's Jazz Night: An early evening of great straight-ahead live jazz by many of Washington, DC’s finest jazz musicians, in a family environment. Bring the children!

Born August 23, 1954 in Washington, DC, Jerry Gordon is a homegrown, self-taught, jazz guitarist, musician, and composer. While still a teen listening to the jazz greats, Gordon started playing the upright bass, but soon changed to a more portable instrument...the guitar. Unable to afford lessons, he bought a Wes Montgomery album, and a "how to" guitar book, and quickly became an accomplished musician. Early in his career, he performed with rhythm and blues bands, but quickly mastered straight-ahead and contemporary jazz sounds. His love for the music he grew up listening to, compelled him to start playing music from the heart...the music he loves...jazz. Gordon spent hours of practice trying to replicate the Montgomery octave sound, until he could hear it coming from his own guitar. Other artists that influenced Jerry Gordon's unique, up-tempo styling include Grant Green, and George Benson. He has played with many local and world class artist such as George Benson, Rufus Thomas, Keter Betts, Buck Hill, Wade Beach, Grant Green Jr., and Artie Sherman.

Gordon has independently composed and produced several recordings with his own label, "Thumbs UP Productions", including Thumbs Up, Soft and Warm, All for Love, and his latest, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. His music receives considerable airplay on east coast radio stations, including Washington, DC's 105.9, WPFW, WHUR, Philadelphia's WRTI, and Baltimore's WEAA, and WWIN. He has made numerous appearances on public and national television. Gordon has toured Europe and Africa, performing at the 1990 San Remo Jazz Festival in Italy, and has won many awards and citations as well as received local, national, and international acclaim.

Gordon is featured regularly at major east coast jazz clubs and concert halls, including the Baltimore and Philadelphia Museums of Art, Baltimore's Harbor Place, Blues Alley and the Carter Barron in DC, The Zanzibar Blue, and Temple University in Philadelphia, and the Zinc Bar in Manhattan, New York.