Looking Forward
Wycliffe Gordon joins faculty to share his passion for jazz
W
ycliffe Gordon has shared the
stage with legends like Aretha
Franklin, has been recognized as
the Jazz Journalists Association’s ‘Trombonist
of the Year’ eight times (so far!), has composed
the scores for multiple films, and has been
commissioned by the Apollo Theatre
to compose a new work to celebrate its
75thanniversary. Gordon has been an Artist-
in-Residence in the Department of Music since
2014, and has recently accepted a full-time
role as Director of the Augusta University Jazz
Studies Program.
Gordon was born in Waynesboro, Ga., and
moved to Augusta when he was 10. His love
for the trombone began when his older brother
joined the school band and brought home the
instrument. When Gordon joined the school
band, he knew just what instrument he wanted
to play.
Since then Gordon has grown as an artist
and has performed all around the world. He has
created multiple commissioned works, including
I Saw the Light, a musical tribute to Muhammad
Ali and a music score for the film, Body and Soul.
He is also a member of the U.S. Statesmen of
Jazz and serves as a musical ambassador for the
U.S. State Department. While he loves touring,
Gordon often thought about leaving the road
and settling down. While he was still on the
road, Gordon took on his first teaching job and
enjoyed it, happy to spread his experience and
knowledge to aspiring musicians.
“The most beautiful part of this is that I am in
my hometown, in my community,” Gordon
said.
He was very excited when he was offered the
position and thankful that he gets to settle down
in the place where his love for jazz music began.
Gordon has a big vision for the program.
“I want to grow a department that is
competitive with larger universities that I have
taught at or worked with in the past,” Gordon
said.
He plans to expose students to different types
of jazz, including traditional and early jazz, and
for the Spring 2019 semester, he is planning to
Students focus on their sheet music during class. (Photos by Zhenya Townley)
“I want to grow a
department that is
competitive with
larger universities
that I have taught
at or worked with
in the past.”
– Wycliffe Gordon
Director of Jazz Studies
World-renowned jazz musician Wycliffe Gordon has joined the AU faculty
as the Director of Jazz Studies.
have a big band on campus.
Along with running the jazz program, Gordon
is also working with the Arts Incubator. The
Arts Incubator is a new program that allows
incoming live-on-campus freshmen of all majors
to explore their interests in the arts.
“I am looking forward to the Arts Incubator
and interacting with the students from different
disciplines,” Gordon said.
Gordon believes that music is one of the most
effective ways to express how a person feels and
he believes his courses will help students express
themselves in a creative manner. Gordon also
knows that the students will teach and inspire
him, as a musician, teacher, and person.
Read the Jagwire story on Wycliffe Gordon’s
recent award at http://jagwire.augusta.edu/
archives/54954.
www.augusta.edu/pamplin | 19