When Brooklyn, New York, native Jordan Kaplan began playing piano by ear at the young age of 8, he did not need any prompting by his mom, a classical pianist herself. He began his professional career by entertaining brunch goers at the Kitty Hawk restaurant in midtown Manhattan at the age of 12. When he was a child, his family moved to Merrick, Long Island. He was inspired by the song writing of local recording and story telling legends like Billy Joel and Harry Chapin. Jordan decided to pursue a music career by the time he was 15 years old. He played the lead in various high school musicals and dramas.
In 1981, Jordan performed in musicals with the Hempstead Repertory Theatre and the Long Island Theater company. He also played prominent roles in various college and community musical theater productions over the next 4 years.
In 1985, at the age of 21, Jordan recorded a solo album entitled “Hey Kid,” which produced the regional hit song “Going Back to Boston.” The album received critical acclaim and received substantial radio play in the Boston area.
Jordan pioneered his college radio station, WBCR, doing DJ and production work, while honing his keyboard skills with his Boston-based group “The New Tabooz.” After moving back home to New York in 1986, he joined the popular metro area & Long Island wedding band “A Touch of Class.”
Jordan then joined an extremely talented Astoria-based group known as “The Soft Touch Orchestra,” playing at hundreds of dances and weddings at American Legion, VFW, Masonic and catering halls across Long Island and Queens, from 1988 to 1995.
Jordan has stuck to his roots, keeping his hand in rock & roll, playing with his Long Island wedding and party band “GiftBox” at literally hundreds of gigs since 1995. In 2008, GiftBox had the honor and privilege of accompanying international recording star/singer/songwriter/playwright Rupert Holmes, while he sang his world famous Escape (The Pina Colada) song at a wedding in Scarlsdale, NY.
Jordan Kaplan was honored in 2012 and appointed Grand Organist of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of New York.
Jordan Kaplan Music and Entertainment’s signature band GiftBox covers music spanning eight decades, from the 1940’s through today’s current hits, including many classic rock & roll favorites. You can view a small sampling of the songs Jordan Kaplan and GiftBox play on the songs page of this website.
Jordan and GiftBox have lent their talents to various groups and studio recordings, including the famous doo-wop groups “The Reflections” and “The Chaperones.” Jordan has also played piano and harmonica with popular Long Island cover bands “Rebound,” “Little Rock,” “Rock & Roll Brewing Company” and “Cherry Pie,” cementing his place in Long Island’s live music culture. His lead and background vocals are an asset to any group or recording.
Jordan Kaplan Music and Entertainment with its band GiftBox performs in all venues including catering halls, restaurants, hotels, and private homes and estates. Jordan Kaplan Music and Entertainment and GiftBox provide live music and entertainment for weddings and parties at receptions, ceremonies and cocktail hours throughout Long Island, NYC and its surrounding areas. Some of the venues where Jordan and GiftBox have performed over the decades can be found on the venues page of this website.
Live music is customized for your specific needs, from solo piano or guitar with vocals, to duets, trios and up to nine pieces or more. GiftBox plays all customary ethnic, religious and group dance music. They perform at weddings, ceremonies, cocktail hours, restaurants, private parties, bars, catering halls, anniversaries, birthday parties and any place where live music will enhance your very special occasion.
Jordan is fluent in English and Spanish. Languages and music are two of his passions. He tutors and teaches Spanish to children and adults, with a specialized skill for assisting business people to achieve conversational Spanish for use in their professional lives. Jordan gives piano lessons to children and adults, teaching with a play-by-ear method that lets students play a song after their very first lesson. Contact us about piano or Spanish lessons.
Jordan’s soulful vocals and dynamic keyboard and piano playing continue to add the perfect compliment to various music groups.
Jordan is part of the Temple Avodah (Oceanside, NY) Band, Schleppenwolf, contributing to Temple Services and Events on the keyboards and with his vocals. He is also part of the Temple Avodah Adult Choir.
Currently, Jordan has amassed a following as a regular Restaurant entertainer in Nassau and Suffolk counties, at popular restaurants such as Mac’s Steakhouse in Huntington, Long Island, and Butera’s Restaurant of Oceanside, performing as Jordan Kaplan Piano Man. Often joined by other talented vocalists and musicians at his gigs, Jordan continues to draw attention and enthusiasm from audiences wherever he appears. He plays to packed restaurant audiences who come for dinner, and music, and enjoy the favorite crowd-pleasing songs Jordan performs.
To have Jordan Kaplan Music and Entertainment, GiftBox, and/or Jordan Kaplan Piano Man perform at your event, restaurant, venue or occasion, contact us and we will respond to you promptly. Call Jordan to Get Live Music!
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