Mandolin Jordan Ramsey » Mandolin Performer and Educator Bluegrass Crosspicking

Bio

Jordan Ramsey is an award-winning mandolinist and teacher residing in the Front Range area of Colorado. He attended East Tennessee State University and played with the school’s top bluegrass ensemble from ’05 until ’07. As a part of the ETSU “Pride Band” (led by former Jim and Jesse banjo player Raymond McLain), he honed his McReynold’s style cross-picking skills and had the opportunity the share the stage with stars like Porter Wagoner, Ralph Stanley, Curley Seckler, Tater Tate, Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, Hunter Berry, and Adam Steffey. He studied under mandolin master and cross-picking devotee Jack Tottle, founder of the ETSU bluegrass program and author of the seminal mandolin method "Bluegrass Mandolin". Jordan specializes in McReynold’s style cross-picking, but is well versed in most other bluegrass styles, as well as jazz, swing, and classical idioms. He left his native Tennessee for Colorado in late ’07 and joined the band Long Road Home (featuring Pete Wernick and Gene Libbea) in the fall of 2008. Jordan is also currently featured in the Golden, Co. based bluegrass band, Palmer Divide. Contest highlights include: 2008 RockyGrass Mandolin Champion, 2008 Grand Targhee Mandolin Champion, and top-five finalist in the 2011 National Mandolin Championship. Jordan teaches mandolin classes and private lessons at Denver’s Swallow Hill Music Association, as well as freelance session work, workshops, and private lessons all throughout the Front Range.

"Few students progress musically as much as Jordan has during the period I’ve known him. Today I would rank him among the top players who have passed through our twenty-five year old program."

---  Jack Tottle, 2007