Lee "Stubby" Gordon (born Lavern Elton Gordon; May 12, 1902 – October 3, 1946) was an American musician and bandleader who conducted the Rhythm Masters orchestra and wrote the music for songs such as "Tell Me Dreamy Eyes", "Worryin' Blues", and "Rippin' It Off."
redhotjazz.com; accessed March 7, 2018.
Career
One of the most renowned saxophonists, he joined Phil Spitalny
Phil Spitalny (November 7, 1890 – October 11, 1970) was a Russian Empire-born American musician, music critic, composer, and bandleader heard often on radio during the 1930s and 1940s. He rose to fame after he led an all-female orchestra, a nov ...
's orchestra and was soon promoted to director. He later became music director of WTAM
WTAM (1100 AM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Cleveland, Ohio, and carries a news/ talk/sports format commonly known as "Newsradio WTAM 1100". Owned by iHeartMedia, WTAM serves Greater Cleveland and much of surrounding Northeast Oh ...
and conductor of the NBC Orchestra. Gordon was the first to broadcast Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr.'s song, "The Rest of My Life With You".
Personal life
Lavern Elton Gordon was born in Warren, Pennsylvania
Warren is a city in Warren County, Pennsylvania, United States, located along the Allegheny River. The population was 9,404 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Warren County. It is home to the headquarters of the Allegheny National Fores ...
, on May 12, 1902 and died in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 3, 1946, aged 44. He was interred in the family plot in Oakland Cemetery, Warren.
References
External links
''Digitized'' Pine Ridge News Vol I, No ISheldon Harris Sheet Music Finding-Aid at the University of Mississippi (originals)
1902 births
1946 deaths
American saxophonists
American male saxophonists
Big band bandleaders
Musicians from Cleveland
Jazz musicians from Pennsylvania
People from Warren, Pennsylvania
20th-century American saxophonists
Jazz musicians from Ohio
20th-century American male musicians
American male jazz musicians
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