Bob Gordon (saxophonist)

Bob Gordon
Born	(1928-06-11)June 11, 1928 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died	August 28, 1955(1955-08-28) (aged 27) California
Genres	Jazz
Occupation	Musician
Instrument	Saxophone
Years active	1940s–1950s

Bob Gordon (June 11, 1928 – August 28, 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.

Career

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".

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)