Blue Note at Sea is privileged to have one of the top trombonists of his generation, Wycliffe Gordon, return for an encore performance as our Gospel Show host. Both an accomplished soloist and leader of his eponymous quartet, Wycliffe tours the globe performing for audiences of every caliber, from elementary school students to heads of state.
The Jazz Journalists Association named him “2020 Trombonist of the Year” for the unprecedented 13th time, and Downbeat Critics Poll named Wycliffe “Best Trombone” again for 2020, bringing his award count to six (2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013 & 2012). In 2019, Wycliffe was presented the “Sonny Award” by the Suncoast Jazz Festival for his commitment to education, and he received the coveted “Louie Award” presented by the Louis Armstrong Museum, for his dedication and commitment to the music of Louis Armstrong. In 2017, he was presented with the “International Trombone Association Award,” which recognizes the highest level of creative and artistic achievement.
In 2016, he released his 21st solo CD recording titled I Give You Love — a follow up album to his very popular “Hello Pops: A Tribute to Louis Armstrong” CD. He also released Within These Gates of Mine, an original soundtrack and film score for the 1920’s silent film Within Our Gates by African-American filmmaker Oscar Micheaux. His arrangements are frequently heard in film and television, including Race (the biopic of track legend Jesse Owens), NCIS: New Orleans, Manhattan, and the Netflix show “White Rabbit Project.”
Adept at the tuba, trumpet and soprano trombone plus an accomplished composer and arranger, Wycliffe is also one of America’s most persuasive and committed music educators, serving as Director of Jazz Studies at Augusta University in Augusta, GA.