Bob Gordon
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, Clifford Brown, Maynard Ferguson, Herbie Harper, and Jack Montrose. He released one album as a bandleader.
Bob Gordon
- Name
- Bob Gordon
- Born
- 11 June 1928
- Birthplace
- St.
- Died
- 28 August 1955
- Place of death
- California
- Occupation
- Musician
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- jazz
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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, Clifford Brown, Maynard Ferguson, Herbie Harper, and Jack Montrose. He released one album as a bandleader.
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wikidata · Q112884
In this article
Biography
Biography
Gordon died in a car accident on his way to playing at a Pete Rugolo concert in San Diego.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Bob Gordon • Born — 11 June 1928 • Birthplace — St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. • Died — 28 August 1955 • Place of death — California • Genre — Jazz • Occupation — Musician • Instrument — Saxophone • Years Active — 1940s–1950s • Past Member Of — Jack Montrose, Herbie Harper
Career
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".
As leader/co-leader
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
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 Clifford Brown • Clifford Brown Ensemble Featuring Zoot Sims (Pacific Jazz, 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)
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St. Louis.
Birth place
San Diego County.
Death place
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authority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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