Trumpeter, flugelhorn player and composer Terry Gordon could call his quintet the In-Demand-Crew as its members are among the area’s busiest jazz masters. It’s a purpose-built band on a mission – playing the ninth concert of the 12-show free-concert season.

“Formed around 1993 as an outlet for original compositions, it has maintained that focus ever since,” says Gordon. A prolific composer, Gordon plays trumpet and flugelhorn with Eric Walentowicz, saxophones; Joe Finn, guitar; Lou Smaldone, bass; and Pete Sweeney, drums. They’ve played together for years: Smaldone off and on since the mid-90s, Walentowicz since 2000, Finn since 2003 and Sweeney since 2012.

Gordon also plays with the Arch Stanton Quartet, Alex Torres, Brass-O-Mania and in a duo with guitarist Roger Noyes; Walentowicz with the New York Players and Brass-O-Mania; Finn as leader and sideman – he plays Jazz on Jay with his trio on Aug. 15 – Smaldone with Keith Pray’s Big Soul Ensemble (where Gordon was an early member), and Sweeney with Michael Benedict’s Jazz Vibes (at Jazz on Jay June 20) and the Art D’Echo Trio.

Son of a church organist mom, Gordon studied with Dr. Harold McNeil at Houghton College and Dr. Michael Galloway at Mansfield University. His main influences are Woody Shaw, Chuck Mangione, Miles Davis, and Freddie Hubbard.

Gordon has played professionally since he earned $40 at an 1984 New Year’s Eve country club gig.

These days, with his Quintet, “We play pretty much all originals,” he says – chosen from his albums “Wakeup Call” (1997), “Contemplations” (2002), “Homeward Bound” (2006), “Tomorrow Calling” (2013), and “Tangents” (2023). He explains there’s “much room for improvising.”

Gordon will be busy the rest of the summer with the Quintet, the Arch Stanton Quartet, the Gordon & Noyes Duo, and Alex Torres. Check his schedule at https://terrygordonjazz.com/upcoming-live-music/.

Jazz on Jay free concerts are noon to 1:30 p.m. at Jay Square, the new park space opposite Schenectady City Hall. The rain site is Robb Alley at Proctors, 432 State St., Schenectady. Seating is provided indoors at Robb Alley, but patrons are invited to bring their own seating and refreshments to Jay Square.

Jazz on Jay is presented by the ElectriCity Arts and Entertainment District and sponsored by the New York State Council on the Arts, a Schenectady County Legislature Arts & Culture Grant, Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation, The Schenectady Foundation, Price Chopper/Market 32, MVP Health Care, Schenectady County, Schenectady City Hall, and Proctors Collaborative.