Stanley Jordan

Stanley Jordan took the music world by storm nearly 40 years ago and he's been a creative force to be reckoned with ever since. Many regard him as the world's foremost exponent of the touch, or two-hand tapping technique on the guitar. His multilayered sound creates the effect of two or three guitarists playing together--almost a reinvention of the guitar. In 1985 Stanley became the first artist signed to the newly-reactivated Blue Note record label. His "Magic Touch" album became an instant classic. His wistful guitar on Kenny Rogers' "Morning Desire" helped to propel that track to number one on the country chart in 1986. That same year he did a cameo in the movie "Blind Date" with Bruce Willis and Kim Basinger. But Stanley's music goes far beyond technique. He channels the music in a way that's akin to a spiritual experience. And he draws from a deep knowledge of music, weaving strands of jazz, rock and classical music into a soulful mix that perfect blends mind, heart and hand. In his teens he performed with Dizzy Gillespie and Benny Carter and since then he's collaborated with Miles Davis, Dionne Warwick, Sharon Isbin and more. Today he's all over the jam band scene, appearing with Phil Lesh and Friends and sitting in with other bands such as the Dave Matthews Band, Moe., and Umphreys McGee. He's done many TV shows including Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, David Letterman and Jimmy Fallon. His next album "Feather in the Wind" is slated for a May release.