Jordan Baskin

Jordan Baskin is a jazz piano performer, teacher, and composer who leads his trio & is musical director with the Mike Smith Quartet. Jordan graduated from Indiana University in 2001 with a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies. He's performed at the 2012 Chicago Jazz Festival with the Mike Smith Quartet & 2015 Chicago Jazz Festival performing with his trio. Jordan was invited to participate in residency programs at the following institutions: Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center in 2004, Banff International Jazz Workshop in 2005, and the Ravinia Steans Institute in 2001. In 2008 Jordan won first prize in the Luminarts Competition funded by the Union League Club of Chicago. Jordan is also very grateful for the grants he has been awarded in his career by the South Arts"Jazz Road Quick Relief Fund", the Jazz Foundation of America, and the Musician's Foundation.

Symphony Center, Ravinia, Grant Park, Wilson Center for the Arts, Andy's jazz Club, Green Mill, Jazz Showcase, are just a few of the venues Jordan has performed at. Jordan has recorded for labels globally, and has been a vital part of Chicago's jazz scene playing multiple nights a week as a leader or sideman at clubs, hotels and private parties for over twenty years. His debut cd “High Card” was released in 2012 and CDs are available for purchase after his shows. Jordan has perfect pitch and in 2020 taught himself to play electric bass by ear. He has been teaching jazz piano for Niles North High School in Skokie since 2016 along with students from many of the neighboring high schools, along with middle school, college and adult students. Jordan lives in Skokie with his wife and daughter and in his free time enjoys listening to music, studying psychology, personal finance and investing, loves animals and nature, coffee and watching movies.