Jordan Thomas (James Thomas Jordan) was raised in the borough of Bergenfield, New Jersey, located in Bergen County, about 20 minutes from New York City. The youngest of three children, “JT” was exposed to a great deal of music during his childhood due to his parents love of dancing and big band music, his brother’s clarinet playing, and his sister’s love of dancing.

During the 60s and 70s, Bergenfield’s Music Department became the premier music program in the area, and JT enrolled in the program as a trumpet player in 1968 when he was eight years old. He quickly realized that music was his first love, especially after listening to the likes of Harry James, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, and even Herb Alpert on his parents’ Hi-Fi Stereo. JT also studied the piano for a brief period but soon realized that the trumpet was his instrument of choice. He also developed a love for the rock n roll music of the 50s, 60s, and 70s, thanks to his siblings and friends, and his love for music has been a major factor in his life, and one that has provided him with a great deal of joy, satisfaction, and accomplishment.

In 1976, Jordan became a member of the famed drum and bugle corps, the Hawthorne Muchachos, and then continued to participate in this wonderful activity as a marching member, and instructor with the Bayonne Bridgemen, and several other outstanding units, over the course of forty years. In 1989, he felt the strong urge to put together a big band since he had grown up listening to the wonderful music of the Swing Era.

Since that early beginning, JT and his musical ensembles have gone through many adjustments, and modifications, but one thing has remained constant…his absolute LOVE for making music with his friends that spreads love, happiness, and excitement to others! As the saying goes, ”some things never change!”