"Derek wishes to devote less time to the rigors of administration and to focus more time on the creative side of our organization, which was his primary reason for coming to Jazz at Lincoln Center," Schiff said. "The board and I appreciate all that he has done to make our opening years successful and we look forward to working closely with him in this new role."

Gordon first came to JALC as executive director in August 2004. Five months later, he was promoted to president and CEO, succeeding the retiring Hughlyn Fierce.

Before coming to Jazz at Lincoln Center, Gordon was senior vice president of the Kennedy Center, where he was responsible for jazz, education, and outreach. Previously, he served as executive director for the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts and Louisiana Division of the Arts.

Jazz at Lincoln Center has had a series of administrative leaders since co-founder Rob Gibson was ousted in 2000. Bruce McCombie, the former dean of Boston University's School of the Arts, replaced Gibson as executive director. In 2002, Fierce, a retired banker and the treasurer of JALC's board, was named to the newly created post of president and chief executive officer. Gordon succeeded McCombie in 2004; after he was promoted, vice president of development Katherine E. Brown was named executive director.