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Bud Gordon

Jazz trumpeter, soloist, and band leader in Southern Colorado

About Me

Bud went to Eagle Rock High School, graduating in 1978. Some of his musical cohorts while there were guitarist Larry Koonse, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Daryl VanDruff. While in High School Bud learned 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.

After school, Bud toured for a year and a half with the great soul singer Ray Charles. Here are a few videos that survived from that tour:

Ray Charles sings “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UfM3yaQOr8

and

Ray Charles at Antibes, France, playing “Ray's Minor Mood” and ”Let the Good Times Roll”: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php? v=10201709890041342&stream_ref=10

My Jazz Story

Been playing trumpet since 4th grade. I was first exposed to jazz at Eagle Rock Junior High, which was conveniently a part of the Eagle Rock High School Music Machine of the late 60s and 70s. The first jazz records I bought were "Best of Charlie Parker" on Verve and "Souled Out" by Dizzy Gillespie. My advice to new listeners keep your ears open and don't forget that live music is the best place to feed your need.