Twenty-two-year-old pianist Deschanel Gordon , winner of BBC Young Jazz Musician in 2020, was born in Hackney and attended youth programmes such as the Hackney Creative Jazz Ensemble and the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy. Growing up he was surrounded by a wide range of music from gospel to reggae and was inspired by a video of virtuoso pianist Oscar Peterson. This sparked his love of jazz and he switched from classical to jazz piano training. Although he has only just graduated from Trinity Laban, Deschanel has performed at many of London’s best-known jazz venues, including the 606 Club, Ronnie’s Scott’s, the Jazz Café, the Barbican and Cadogan Hall. He’s also travelled widely, playing at jazz festivals in Europe and the USA, including Moods in Zurich, New York’s Winter Jazz Festival, Jazz TM in Romania and Fasching in Sweden.

One of the brightest prospects of his generation, Gordon has worked with the likes of Mark Kavuma, Cassie Kinoshi’s SEED Ensemble and US-born singer Judi Jackson.

“He possesses an assured command of different styles, while at the same time adding his own individual touch, flair, and technical competence.” 

The Jazzmann

“the piano man to watch…Deschanel Gordon”

London Jazz News

“Deschanel Gordon…a…player of immense stature with a seemingly unending stream of ideas…simply jaw dropping”

Sussex Jazz Magazine