Bob Gordon (saxophonist)
# Bob Gordon (saxophonist)

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)
