Bob Gordon (saxophonist)
| Bob Gordon | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 11, 1928 |
| Origin |
 St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| Died |
August 28, 1955 (aged 27) California |
| Genres |
Jazz Cool jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Saxophonist |
| Instruments | Baritone saxophone |
| Years active | 1940s–1950s |
| Associated acts | Jack Montrose, Herbie Harper |
Bob Gordon (11 June 1928–28 August 1955) was an American cool jazz baritone saxophonist born in St. Louis, Missouri, best known as a sideman for musicians like Stan Kenton, Shelly Manne, Chet Baker, Maynard Ferguson, trombonist Herbie Harper and tenor saxophonist Jack Montrose, among others.[1]
Bob Gordon died in a car accident on his way to playing at a Pete Rugolo concert in San Diego.[2] His friend and fellow saxophonist Jack Montrose wrote:
| “ | The union of Bob Gordon and the baritone saxophone must have been decreed in Heaven for never have I viewed such rapport between the natural tendencies of a musical instrument and the mind of the man using it. I cannot imagine Bob Gordon using any other instrument...[3] | ” |
Discography
As leader/co-leader
- 1953: Moods in Jazz, with Herbie Harper (Tampa Records)
- 1954: Herbie Harper featuring Bud Shank and Bob Gordon - Herbie Harper, Bud Shank (tenor and baritone saxes), Bob Gordon (baritone sax), Harry Babasin (double bass), Roy Harte (drums), Jimmy Rowles (piano), Marty Paich (piano) (Liberty Records)
- 1954: Meet Mr. Gordon (Pacific Jazz)
- 1955: Jack Montrose with Bob Gordon (Atlantic)
- 1955: Introducing Bob Gordon (EmArcy)
- Bob Gordon Memorial (Fresh Sound, compiled 2004)
- Complete Recordings (Quintet/Sextet with Herbie Harper & Jack Montrose) (Lone Hill Jazz, recorded 1954-55, compiled 2004-05)
As sideman
- With Chet Baker
- 1953: Grey December (Pacific Jazz)
- 1953: The Trumpet Artistry of Chet Baker (Pacific Jazz)
- With Maynard Ferguson
- 1955: Dimensions (EmArcy)
- 1955: Maynard Ferguson Octet (EmArcy)
- With Lyle Murphy
- 1955: Four Saxophones in Twelve Tones (GNP)
- With Shorty Rogers
- 1954: Shorty Rogers Courts the Count (RCA Victor)
- Shorty Rogers & His Orchestra featuring The Giants - West Coast Sounds 1950-1956 (IsraBox, compiled 2006)
References
- ↑ Yanow, Scott. "Bob Gordon Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
- ↑ Bob Gordon biography at MTV
- ↑ Bob Gordon at JazzBariSax.com
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