Claude Gordon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Claude Gordon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Claude Eugene Gordon April 5, 1916 |
| Origin | Helena; Los Angeles |
| Died | May 16, 1996 (aged 80) |
| Genres | Big band, jazz, classical, Session music |
| Occupations | Musician, band director, teacher |
| Instruments | Cornet, trumpet, accordion |
| Years active | 1936-1996 |
Claude Eugene Gordon (April 5, 1916 - May 16, 1996), nicknamed the "King of Brass",[1] was an American trumpet player, band director, educator, lecturer and writer.
Claude Gordon was born on April 5, 1916, in Helena, Montana. His father, James Austin Gordon, was a clarinet player and orchestra director, and his mother, Nellie "Elge", was a pianist. His siblings formed a family orchestra, led by their father, that performed as the staff orchestra for a local radio station. Gordon was given his first cornet at the age of five, and three years later, in fifth grade, was featured as a soloist with the Helena High School Band. In his early teens, he began playing professionally and taught cornet and accordion.
In 1936, Gordon married Genevieve "Jenny" Pentecost. He raised two sons with her, Gary and Steven.[2] Misfortune befell the family in 1988 when Jenny and Gary both died and Steven was diagnosed with cancer which led to his death in 1990. In September 1990, Gordon married Patricia "Patty" Jean Swanson, his longtime caretaker.
Gordon died from cancer on May 16, 1996. He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills).
Career
Claude Gordon studied with Herbert L. Clarke from 1936 until Clarke died in 1945. During the era of live radio and television, Gordon worked as a studio trumpet player. In 1939, he was cast as the Roma accordion player in the Universal Studios musical film An Old Spanish Custom, later renamed In Rhumba Land. He formed his own big band in 1959. Their albums include Jazz For Jean-Agers and Sounds Of The Big Band Era.[3]
Gordon performed with studio orchestras on shows including Amos and Andy and I Love Lucy.
The Claude Gordon Orchestra was awarded Best Big Band of 1959.[4]
