Performance Experience James Gordon, Harmonica Technician, is also known as a performer (and to his friends) as Jimmy Gordon. He got his first Harmonica at age 4 and began playing professionally at age 13.
He has played Harmonica with Rock, Roots, and Blues Musicians and Songwriters such as Bonnie Raitt, Jerry Lee Lewis, J.J. Cale, Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn, NRBQ, Jimmy Johnson, Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang, Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson and more.
Jimmy has played Harmonica in all types of venues from honkytonks to Carnegie Hall(with Cale) and all types of clubs, performing with Diatonic and Chromatic Harmonicas.
Come On Over was his first CD, released in 1997. In addition to Harmonica he also performs and records with electric and acoustic guitar, lapsteel, and Fender Bass, and vocals.
Technical Experience James L. Gordon, Harmonica Technician, has tuned and modified Harmonicas since the mid-seventies. He has invented tunings of his own design and is in contact with others who do the same. He has operated a Harmonica repair service for many years.
In 1997 James met Master harmonica technician Joe Filisko at the annual convention of the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica. After some correspondence James was invited by Filisko to study the highly unique and refined techniques developed by Joe and his long-time associate and fellow Master tech Richard Sleigh involved in the production and repair of The Filisko Method Harmonica, played by professionals the world over.
He spent over a year in study performing strictly repairs prior to the release of his line of Gordon Custom Harmonicas in 1999; authorized Filisko Method Harmonicas.
James is now also a contributor to the further advancement of these remarkable Filisko Method instruments, and is fully authorized to produce and service Filisko Method Harmonicas.
Joe Filisko, Richard Sleigh, and James L. Gordon are in frequent contact fully sharing information and techniques exploring and furthering the art of the high-end Custom Harmonica. This powerful union enables James to create some of the finest diatonic Harmonicas available to the general public.
Teaching Experience James has taught Harmonica at public and private schools, as well as seminars on Harmonica Repair and Music Theory at SPAH Conventions. He has taught private lessons for over 25 years.
• General Information
Gordon Custom Harmonicas offers Filisko Method diatonics for sale to seasoned professionals, intermediate and beginners alike. James’ client list includes a range of players from the very famous to those simply in need of a far superior instrument.
