Gordon Clements - Woodwinds and Brass

• Classical and Jazz Performer on Clarinet, Saxophone, & Flute
• Wind Ensemble and Big Band Conductor

An active member of Vancouver Island's musical and educational community for over 30 years, Mr. Clements has recently become very much in demand as an adjudicator and clinician. His unique experience as both classical and jazz performer has made his classes and workshops inspirational to students of all ages and levels of ability. As a classical musician Mr. Clements is primarily known for 15 years in the bass clarinet chair of the Victoria Symphony and as both clarinetist and saxophonist with the Palm Court Orchestra. He has also performed in countless Broadway shows, operettas, wind ensembles, and chamber music groups. In 2001 he became a clinician for Keilwerth Saxophones and Buffet Crampon Clarinets.

Perhaps even more known as a jazz musician, Mr. Clements’ 5 CD recordings are in heavy rotation on Canada’s jazz radio programs and include award-winning musicians from both Canada and the U.S. He has worked as a conductor, teacher and ensemble coach in secondary schools throughout Greater Victoria and at the University of Victoria. He is currently Head of Jazz Studies at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and Artistic Director of the VCM Summer Jazz Workshop. His conducting responsibilities include the VCM Honour Winds & Percussion and VCM Honour Jazz Orchestra. He also directs the new Camosun College/VCM Jazz Studies program. In Sept. 2009 he was inducted into the Victoria Music Hall of Fame.

The Gord Clements Trio has had a long history in Victoria and features two musicians who also have international reputations. Guitarist Rob Cheramy is well known for his blistering technique and hauntingly beautiful improvisations reminiscent of Joe Pass and Ed Bickert. Joey Smith on bass is the undisputed master of groove and his work can be heard on numerous recordings in many different genres. The Trio’s music can be described as engaging, quiet, swinging and expressive.