Bob Gordon (saxophonist)

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, Herbie Harper and Jack Montrose. He released one album as a bandleader. Gordon died in a car accident on his way to playing at a Pete Rugolo concert in San Diego.^[1]

His friend 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".^[2]

Discography

As leader/co-leader

• 1953: Moods in Jazz, with Herbie Harper (Tampa)
• 1954: Herbie Harper featuring Bud Shank and Bob Gordon (Liberty)
• 1954: Meet Mr. Gordon (Pacific Jazz)
• 1955: Jack Montrose with Bob Gordon (Atlantic)
• 1955: Introducing Bob Gordon (EmArcy)
• 2004: Bob Gordon Memorial (Fresh Sound)

As sideman

With Chet Baker

• Grey December (Pacific Jazz, 1953)
• The Trumpet Artistry of Chet Baker (Pacific Jazz, 1953)

With Pete Rugolo

• Introducing Pete Rugolo (Columbia, 1954)
• Adventures in Rhythm (Columbia, 1954)
• Rugolomania (Columbia, 1955)
• New Sounds by Pete Rugolo (Harmony, 1954–55, [1957])

With Jack Montrose

• Arranged by Montrose (Pacific Jazz, 1954)
• Arranged/Played/Composed by Jack Montrose (Atlantic, 1955)
• Jack Montrose Sextet (Pacific Jazz, 1955)

With Maynard Ferguson

• Dimensions (EmArcy, 1955)
• Maynard Ferguson Octet (EmArcy, 1955)

With Spud Murphy

• Four Saxophones in Twelve Tones (GNP Crescendo, 1955)

With Dave Pell

• Jazz & Romantic Places (Atlantic, 1955)

With Shorty Rogers

• Shorty Rogers Courts the Count (RCA Victor, 1954)

References