15 Facts About Claude Gordon

Claude Gordon was born on April 5,1916, in Helena, Montana.

Claude Gordon's father, James Austin Gordon, was a clarinet player and orchestra director, and his mother, Nellie "Elge", was a pianist.

Claude Gordon's siblings formed a family orchestra, led by their father, that performed as the staff orchestra for a local radio station.

Claude Gordon raised two sons with her, Gary and Steven.

In September 1990, Claude Gordon married Patricia "Patty" Jean Swanson, his longtime caretaker.

Claude Gordon is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Claude Gordon studied with Herbert L Clarke from 1936 until Clarke died in 1945.

Claude 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.

Claude Gordon designed trumpet and cornet mouthpieces originally made by Benge.

Claude Gordon was widely respected by his many students for his knowledge and friendliness.

Claude Gordon published six major books through Carl Fischer Music on brass instrument playing.

Claude Gordon published Daily Trumpet Routines in 1971, Physical Approach to Elementary Brass Playing in 1977, Tongue Level Exercises in 1981, Thirty Velocity Studies in 1981.

Claude Gordon wrote his final book, Brass Playing is No Harder than Deep Breathing, for publication in 1987.

Claude Gordon worked with Carl Fischer as an annotator for multiple editions of the Arban method, editor for Clarke's Technical Studies for Bass Clef Instruments, and revising editor for Saint-Jacome's Grand Method for Trumpet or Cornet.