A fine bop-oriented trumpeter, Joe Gordon's tragic death in a fire cut short any chance he had at fame in the jazz world.

Born in Boston, MA, on May 15, 1928, Gordon became a professional in 1947 and had stints with Georgie Auld, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Parker (on an occasional basis during 1953-1955), Art Blakey (1954), and Don Redman. Gordon was with Dizzy Gillespie's 1956 big band, touring the Mideast, and getting a solo on "Night in Tunisia." He was in the Horace Silver quintet, moved back to Boston for a period, and then relocated to Los Angeles where he worked and recorded with Barney Kessel, Benny Carter, Harold Land, Dexter Gordon, and Shelly Manne (1958-1960).

Joe Gordon, who led dates for EmArcy (1955) and Contemporary (1961), was on one Thelonious Monk recording and spent his last few years as a freelance musician.

Scott Yanow -All Music Guide