Bud Gordon

Bud went to Eagle Rock High School, graduating in 1978. Some of his musical cohorts while there were guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Scott Colley, drummer Daryl VanDruff, and trumpeter Roger Ingram. While in High School Bud earned the honor of playing at the Monterey Jazz Festival's All Star Big Band. Jazz Greats Thad Jones, George Duke, and Dave Friesen directed the band in sets of their music at the Sunday afternoon concert.

After school, Bud toured for a year and a half with the great soul singer Ray Charles that included stops in France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Hawaii.

When Bud returned to Los Angeles, he immediately became part of the vibrant salsa music scene. Bud’s first salsa experience was with the L.A. Salsa All-stars, whose members included trombonist Art Velasco and trumpeter John Madrid. He continued with many of the area’s finest bands, including Orquesta Verano, Orquesta Mazacote, Sorpresa, Banda Azucar, Nenque Hernandez’ charanga band, and playing and recording with Ilyana and the Island Knights. Also during that time were stints backing up salsa superstars Hansel, Willie Chirino, and Ray Sepulveda. These experiences laid the groundwork for Bud’s love of salsa and latin music that continued with Orquesta Sabroso.

After moving to Colorado Springs, Bud joined the Springs Contemporary Jazz Big Band, performed a number of musicals at the FAC's Repertory Theater, and has played with many of the area's finest musicians. With drummer and percussionist Dennis Bueno, Bud co-founded Colorado Springs Salsa band Orquesta Sabroso. Bud also performed at the Red Note Jazz festivals here in the Springs both with his own and as a member of other excellent ensembles.

In his current incarnation, Bud has refocused on the jazz classics that inspired his love of America's Creative Improvisational Music. Along with jazz and dance tandards, the group performs contemporary, latin-infused jazz with sophisticated harmnonies and a crackling three-horn front line and a sophisticated mix of New Standards.

With his current small group, Bud has refocused on the jazz classics that inspired his love of jazz. Along with jazz and dance standards, they performs contemporary, latin-infused jazz with sophisticated harmonies and a crackling three-horn front line in the best tradition of The Jazz Messengers.

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