1. “keyboard wizard”

2. Born November 4, 1956 in Great Neck, NY Keyboardist, composer, and business owner Dominant Style: Progressive Rock/Metal Most famous for his work with current band Dream Theater.

3. Studied at Juilliard School of Music until his college age years. Left Juilliard to pursue his dreams of synthesizers.

4. Started with his 1st solo album Listen in 1994. Did tour work with rock band The Dixie Dregs Asked to join progressive rock supergroup Liquid Tension Experiment in 1997. Became permanent keyboardist for the progressive metal band Dream Theater in 1999 due to the success with Liquid Tension Experiment. Has released a total of 12 solo albums with the 13 th on the way. He is also very talented at the guitar.

5. Jordan has written several solo albums, is a major collaborator in the music writing process of Dream Theater, and has written one classical symphony mixing classical elements with progressive rock. Example: "Explorations for Keyboard and Orchestra” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCEVT4rM56Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCEVT4rM56Q

6. Due to his fascination with technology, Jordan created an “app” for the iPad called Morphwiz, a portable synthesizer based off of one of his fingerboards, the Haaken Continuum. Through that app a business has emerged called Wizdom Music. He uses Morphwiz in his music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np7t3t449cE

7. Classically trained (favorite composers are: Chopin, Bach, Debussy, and Brahms) Influences of famous progressive rock bands (Yes, Genesis, etc.) Long, complex solos Complex time signatures Also is influenced by jazz (improvisation and ragtime bits).

8. 1999-Present Heavily involved with song writing. 7 studio albums and 5 live albums With Dream Theater his love for technology has evolved. Examples: Octavarium (beginning) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pUpbLvbQ7A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pUpbLvbQ7A On the Backs of Angels (5:49) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28MmnThlYOo (Also, watch the end of the video. Is it Salt Lake?) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28MmnThlYOo

9. Where Jordan got his foot in the door with progressive metal. Heavy distortion of instruments Darker musical themes All musicians wrote the songs. All songs are instrumental. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaW4IvVXPeo Just for fun, in a concert, they did a cover of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osh6jkA_Y4Q

10. Rudess, Jordan. "Interview with Jordan Rudess." The Dream Theater Experience Featuring Jordan Rudess. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred, 2009. 3-8. Print. "Wizdom Music: Makers of MorphWiz, SampleWiz, and Geo Synthesizer." Wizdom Music: Makers of MorphWiz, SampleWiz, and Geo Synthesizer. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2013. www.jordanrudess.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 April. 2013.