That's my boy! - Jerome Gordon blazes a musical trail in the United States

St Ann, the Garden Parish, has produced several persons who have achieved fame locally and/or internationally, and has contributed significantly to Jamaica's development in music and other areas.

Two of those persons who come readily to mind are reggae king Robert Nesta Marley and National Hero Marcus Garvey.

But there are others like musicians Burning Spear (Winston Rodney), Justin Hinds and Shabba Ranks, along with the later generation of artistes like Little Hero, among others.

Then there is Basil Gordon, a justice of the peace and retired manager of Cable and Wireless (now Lime), St Ann's Bay.

More accurately, it is Gordon's son, Jerome, who is gaining fame in the United States as a violist. A viola is a bowed string instrument, a bit larger than a violin and has a lower and deeper sound.

Gordon began his viola studies when he was 11. He gained his Bachelor of Music and a degree in Music Business from Northwestern University, studying primarily with Roland Vamos. He later received his Master of Music from The University of Southern California, working with Donald McInnes.

Gordon's list of skills when it comes to music is awesome, incorporating chamber music, orchestral, classical, symphony, film, arts, festivals, teaching, among others.

 

musical career

 

He has been enjoying a career as an orchestral, studio and chamber musician, and collaborated on various chamber series throughout southern California. He has also recorded for major motion pictures, television series, and commercials.

On the popular music scene, Gordon has performed and recorded with world-renowned artistes like Celine Dion, where he joined her production at the The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in 2011. Then there was Stevie Wonder's Earth, Wind and Fire; Usher; Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood.

Additionally, Gordon has been serving as substitute violist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra since April 2005 and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra since 2010.

 

professional

 

 

studio sessions

 

During this period, he has performed with chamber groups such as the La Sierra University Chamber Recital Series, and has done professional studio sessions for movies, video games and recording artistes.

Gordon has also toured Europe where he performed in places like France, Italy and Spain.

And he continues to rise. While he may not be well known in Jamaica, he has certainly made his mark in the United States and has left his father feeling really proud of his achievements thus far.

In an emailed response to Entertainment Avenue about his son, Gordon quite appropriately had as the subject 'My Boy'.