artist info

World-renowned guitarist Stanley Jordan has developed a new live show called "Stanley Plays Jimi." This is a tribute show, but it’s not pure imitation. Instead Stanley builds on Jimi's legacy in a creative way. As Stanley explains it, "This is my fantasy Jimi Hendrix concert if Jimi were still alive and playing today. By re-imagining his music and channeling his persona I try to bring that fantasy to life."

It may be surprising that Stanley Jordan would take on a project like this. After all, Stanley is already a well-known guitarist with a signature style, four Grammy nominations, a cameo in a Blake Edwards film Blind Date, and a host of TV appearances over a long career including Jimmy Fallon, David Letterman, Jay Leno and Johnny Carson to name a few. But Stanley explains, "I feel a strong connection to Jimi Hendrix because he was the first guitarist I emulated as a child. Out of love for Jimi and his music I feel a strong desire to try to keep his legacy alive."

It may also be surprising that a rock legend like Hendrix would get so much love from a jazz legend like Jordan. Stanley’s 1985 album Magic Touch was #1 on Billboard’s jazz chart for 51 weeks, and Stanley has shared the stage or recorded with jazz artists such as Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Billy Cobham. But again, hearing it from Stanley, "I actually played rock and blues before I played jazz. In fact, Jimi's constant searching for new sounds inspired me to move toward jazz in the first place."

In recent years Stanley has performed with many artists in the rock and jam band worlds, including the Dave Matthews Band, Umphrey’s McGee, Moe. and more. Stanley says, “Returning to my rock roots has been an absolute joy artistically, and with this project I’m taking that to a new level.”

Over time this show has been evolving, and this time around it will be a little different from the first run at Jazz Alley back in 2021. Some of the song structures will be a little more open-ended, with more free form jamming. Some of Jimi's more avant-garde sound collages, such as "Third Stone From the Sun", have made their way into the set list, as well as some of the "Band of Gypsies" material. Stanley explains, "My favorite thing about this show is the spiritual experience. Jimi was my favorite guitarist of all time, and as the show evolves I feel the spiritual aspect deepening."

Dean Schmidt is a bass player based in Seattle. He has played on several soundtracks including "The Blind Side" and "The Great Buck Howard". For the last 6 years he has been performing with Lee Oskar (from the band WAR). Stanley says, "Dean was the bassist for this show in our first run at Jazz Alley in 2021. He brought something fresh to Jimi's music, and I'm thrilled that he's with us again."

Since moving back to Seattle in 2002 after 10 years in New York City, Matt Jorgensen has been active in all aspects of the Seattle jazz scene. He has recorded four CDs with his group Matt Jorgensen +451 for Origin Records, and has toured extensively from New York to LA and in 2003 he picked up an award for “Best Acoustic Jazz Group” by Earshot Jazz. Stanley says, "Matt is an excellent musician and we've collaborated in the past, but this will be his first time doing the 'Stanley Plays Jimi' show. I'm excited to have him on board."