Uwishunu.com

Leon Jordan, Jr. grew up with jazz in his veins. From the moment he picked up a trumpet (at age 10, at Emlen Elementary School), he could feel a vibe pulsing through him, and he knew he was destined for greatness. A decade later, that greatness has come to fruition, and people won’t stop talking about it.

He’s shared the stage with some of the greats of the era, from Clark Terry to Grover Washington Jr. and Bootsie Barnes and has tens of awards, accolades and original compositions to his name. He’s mesmerized crowds at jazz fests across the Mid Atlantic and wooed patrons at Zanzibar Blue (RIP) and Ortlieb’s“¦all before he was old enough to legally drink.

Now, at age 20, the fresh-faced virtuoso has big plans for the future. He’s a full-time student at the University of the Arts and leads his own group, the Leon Jordan, Jr. Quartet. Yet the young star is far from satiated.

Writes Jordan on his Myspace: “There is so much to learn [as a composer and player ]“¦I strive to master the vocabulary and mature to the point where I can influence emotions in others as I have been influenced [in the past].”

Sounds like he’s well on his way.

Leon Jordan, Jr. Quartet at the West Oak Lane Music and Arts Festival, Sunday, June 22
7100 “” 7400 blocks of Ogontz Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138
www.westoaklanefestival.com