About Me

My Story

Gordon Clark moved from Burlington, Vermont in 2012 to play music in the Pioneer Valley region of his native state of Massachusetts. As a classical trombone player, Gordon veered “off-piste” to explore jazz, salsa, rock, and funk while living in Vermont with groups including Barika, Bearquarium, Afinque, and Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band, and has shared the stage with many talented musicians including Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Craig Myers (Rubblebucket, Mike Gordon Band), Roy Hargrove, and Ray Vega.

Gordon has a background in studying and performing classical and contemporary trombone. Gordon held the Principal Trombone position with the Vermont Philharmonic Symphony for two years while living in Vermont and also has performed mulitple times in Boston Symphony Hall as the Principal Trombone in the Massachusetts All-State Symphony Orchestra. Gordon has studied trombone with trombone "greats" including Robert Wigness (former Vermont Symphony Principal Trombone) and Toby Oft (Boston Symphony Orchestra Principal Trombone). Gordon has performed in contemporary groups including regionally touring rock bands, salsa/latin ensembles, musical theater, jazz big bands, and small jazz ensembles and opened up for Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and Eric Krasno and Chapter 2.

Recently, Gordon has had the opportunity to explore his love for the guitar and has been largely inspired by the style and roots of the music of Jerry Garcia. You can see him perform with Mind Left Body regularly in the area. He is also occasionally gets a chance to sit in with other regional Grateful Dead acts. Occasionally he performs acoustic guitar  by himself.

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Gordon plays regularly with the Sterling Brass quartet, led by his father, Jonathan Clark. He has also been involved with local musical performance groups playing trombone including Amherst Jazz Orchestra, Bombyx Brass, West Mass Brass, Salsa Train Orchestra, Shakazoba, and the Creation Latin Jazz Band.

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Gordon has a passion for teaching both trombone and guitar. Fun fact - his teaching experience also includes environmental science and downhill alpine skiing. Please reach out if you are interested in learning more about possibly taking music lessons.