Leon Jordan, Sr. began studying percussion in the Philadelphia School System. He continued his musical studies at the University of the Arts-Conservatory.  He studied independently with several respected  and accomplished musicians including, Philly Joe Jones, Gerald Price, Butch Ballard, Max Roach, Leonard “Doc” Gibbs and Pablo Batista. Mr. Jordan has sustained a career as a full-time professional musician and educator for over twenty years.   

He has performed and recorded with Chaka Kahn, the Stylistics, Pieces of a Dream, Grover Washington Jr., John Blake, George Benson, Joey DeFrancesco, Roy Ayres, Monet Sudler, Sumi Tonooka, and Miles Jaye. Ensemble and orchestral performances for the touring companies of Ain’t Misbehavin, Five Guys Named Moe and Purlie.  Music contractor and performer for   the Prince Theater from 1996-1998.

 

Leon Jordan Jr. began playing trumpet by chance at the age of 10 in elementary school.  By high school Leon was performing professionally and received praise from prominent musicians and media. He was awarded top honors all through high school, receiving more than fifty trophies and medals for section awards, solo awards, state and regional competitions and was awarded the prestigious Marian Anderson award in 2004. Awarded a full scholarship to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and graduated in June 2009.   

Leon’s extensive experience at such a young age and rare talent has afforded him the opportunity to share the stage with such luminaries as Clark Terry, Grover Washington Jr. John Blake, Kenny Garrett, Nicholas Payton, Benny Golson, Charles Fambrough, Terell Stafford, Marcus Bellgrave, Tim Warfield, Gerald Veasley, Bootsie Barnes and drumming legend George “Butch” Ballard just to name a few.

Leon’s quintet has performed at the 2007 Berks Jazz Festival, the 2006 Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, and for the last two years at the Cape May Jazz Festival.  Leon was a featured performer at the Duke Ellington Sacred Concert as part of the Clifford Brown Festival.  His quintet also performs regularly at Zanzibar Blue and Ortlieb’s Jazz Haus in Philadelphia.  Leon’s versatility is also demonstrated in his work with a Latin band and with several special events bands, most notably the Renaissance Orchestra.

Leon Jordan Jr. is a recent graduate of UARTS in Philadelphia, majoring in music performance, composition and education. He now has more than two dozen completed original compositions to his credit and continues to compose daily. His brilliant sound and virtuosity continue to propel him to new heights. Visit www.LeonJordanjr.com
The Leon Jordan Quintet is an artistic collaboration between world-renowned drummer Leon Jordan Sr., and trumpeter Leon Jordan Jr.

Leon Jordan Sr. is an encyclopedia of rhythms. His wealth of performing experience, knowledge of jazz history and stylistic versatility make him the literal and figurative heartbeat of this ensemble. Leon Jordan Jr. is one of the most natural trumpeters of his generation whose brilliant sound and vast musical vocabulary defy his years.It is Leon Jr.’s original compositions that make up the bulk of the repertoire of the quintet.

Leon Jordan Sr. has more than 25 years of experience as a full time professional musician touring and recording with various well known jazz and R&B artists. Leon Sr. can be heard on more than ninety recordings to date as a sideman, performing jazz, pop, gospel, Latin and even country music from time to time. From about the mid 1980’s through the 90’s, Leon Sr. toured and/or recorded extensively with; Grover Washington Jr., John Blake Jr., Phyllis Hyman, Benny Golson, Chaka Kahn, The Stylistics, Lou Rawls, Monette Sudler, Joey DeFrancesco, George Benson, Roy Ayres and even the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, just to name a few. Leon Sr. also appeared in ensemble and orchestral performances for the touring companies of Ain’t Misbehavin, Five Guys Named Moe and Purlie and served as a music contractor and performer for the Prince Theater.

 
Since 1994 Leon Jordan Sr. has performed teaching workshops and master classes for; The School District of Philadelphia, Trenton Community Music School, Mt Airy Cultural Center, Christina Cultural Arts Center, Graterford Prison, the Jazz Institute of New Jersey and several local and out-of-state colleges. Leon has been a presenter with Musicopia’s roster since 2002, and leads the Pos-Jordan Jazz Ensemble. The ensemble conducts A Jazz Journey for Youth assembly program, Fundamentals of Jazz residency, and jazz and percussion workshop sessions.

Leon Jordan Jr., from the age of about 8 or 9, had the benefit of witnessing and later participating in many of his father’s performances and workshops. He could soon replicate almost everything that was taught, and by the age of 12, would often demonstrate concepts for much older, more advanced students. At first Leon Jr. was seen as a novelty at the numerous jazz festivals and jam sessions he attended, but he was a natural with impeccable technique and knowledge far beyond his years. Within a very short time, with continued studies at Settlement Music School and private teachers, he would become one of the most expressive and extraordinarily talented young musicians in jazz. By high school Leon Jr. was performing professionally and receiving praise from prominent musicians and media. He was awarded top honors throughout high school, receiving more than fifty trophies and medals for section awards, solo awards and state and regional competitions. In 2004 he was awarded the prestigious Marian Anderson award. Leon Jr.’s extensive experience at such a young age and rare talent has afforded him the opportunity to share the stage with such luminaries as Clark Terry, Kenny Garrett, Nicholas Payton, Terrell Stafford, Marcus Belgrave, Tim Warfield and Bootsie Barnes.
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