Rebecca Cordes - American Blue (2024)

Rebecca is a classically trained pianist, jazz musician, composer/arranger, teacher, and band leader. Originally from Nebraska, Rebecca has been active on the Dallas music scene for over ten years. Comfortable in both classical and contemporary styles, she can be found in a variety of performance settings, most notably playing with her band, Plus One Jazz Group. Her artistic approach reflects her broad love of all types of music and the interconnectedness of different styles, resulting in eclectic programming and distinctive compositions and arrangements.

Rebecca has collaborated with writer-lyricist David Parr on two original works for theater: The Great White Way, a full-length musical; and A Most Happy Stella, a through-composed mini-musical jazz parody of A Streetcar Named Desire. These works have been performed at theater festivals in Dallas and New York. Most recently, Rebecca contributed to The Pollinators, a new musical under development by local playwright Carol Crittenden.

A longtime collaborator with vocalists, Rebecca began her career accompanying classical singers in order to pay her way through college. More recently she fills the role of music director for theatrical productions and concerts. In 2016 she music directed Elsie Janis and The Boys, which was performed at Contemporary Theater of Dallas (book by Carol Crittenden and music by John T. Prestianni). In 2018 she served in the same role for The World of Georgia Dill, which was performed at The Bath House Cultural Center (book by Carol Crittenden and music by Georgia Dill). She’s also enjoyed music directing Diva Night at Stoney’s Wine Lounge.

Rebecca writes and arranges unique charts for her jazz quartet and contracts as a band mate for other local jazz artists. She collaborates frequently with vocalist Carolyn Jones as part of Carolyn’s Satin Dolls Band and was thrilled to be at the piano for Carolyn’s 2019 Sammons Cabaret show, Hooray for the Girls. In early 2020 Rebecca performed on the Sammons Jazz concert series as part of the Leigh Tomlinson Memorial Concert, which celebrates jazz vocalists. The concert featured Rebecca’s jazz arrangements of Broadway music performed by vocalists Rosana Eckert, Tatiana Mayfield, and Heather Paterson with Steve Barnes (drums) and Jeffry Eckels (bass) filling out the rhythm section.

In 2015 Rebecca partnered with yoga teacher and entrepreneur Lindsey Sutton to produce the children’s CD, Tommy and Tina’s Yoga Rhymes. She arranged and sequenced instrumental accompaniments and music directed a children’s choir on the recording.

A dedicated educator, Rebecca has maintained a full teaching studio of over 40 students since 2005. Working at her home-based studio and at Greenhill School, she provides music lessons for students aged 5 to 75. Rebecca is currently developing a new jazz piano education curriculum, Jazz Piano ABCs. The curriculum breaks down the basics of how to “think jazz” for elementary level students, with the goal of empowering traditional music teachers to incorporate jazz and improvisation into their teaching.