Biography
5 April 1916, Helena, Montana, USA, d. 1996. Claude Gordon’s dance band orchestra came to prominence in 1959 when the American Federation Of Musicians, faced with the advances of rock ‘n’ roll, attempted to institute a big band revival. They organised a series of regional heats to find the ‘best new band’ of the day, with a national final at New York’s Roseland Ballroom. The overall winner was Claude Gordon, whose 13-piece group (plus singer Darts Alexander) had formed a few years previously in Los Angeles, California. Having been active in the Hollywood music scene for several years, Gordon’s main experience was drawn from his time as a staff musician for CBS Records. A talented trumpet player, he had also taught that instrument and the accordion at the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. In the 40s he had tasted the dance band touring experience by working with artists including Matty Malneck, Ronnie Kemper and Frankie Masters....
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