[Dixielandjazz] Short bio

[Jerry Gordon]

It looks like Mr. Wonderful has hit upon a topic that appeals to everyone
- themselves! 

I was born (1937), raised and educated (Boston Latin School, 1955; Tufts
Univ, BSME, 1959; Northeastern Univ, MS Math, 1963) in Boston, where I
worked in engineering and sales engineering until 1967, when I was
transferred to the Albany, NY, area. Retired one year ago next week as
VP-Sales from Gurley Precision Instruments (gurley.com, if anyone cares).
Three daughters with my first wife (divorced in '79); married Maryanne in
'82 (on 9/11, as a matter of fact), who has a son & a daughter. Now we
have a total of 10 grandchildren (so far).

Played drums in high school and college - various bands, orchestras and
small jazz groups. Had a jazz show on college radio station. Jazz love
was big bands and the west-coast-cool/modern jazz that was prevalent
then: Mulligan, Brubeck, MJQ, Getz, Basie, Ellington, Kenton, etc. Still
love that stuff, but since then my tastes have gone backwards in time, to
what we now call OKOM. 

Gave up the drums with marriage in '61, but continued playing the
phonograph. I have maybe 1800 LPs and ~250 CDs. I don't remember exactly
how, but I discovered DJML in its early days (so long ago that I met
Peter Lovric at a festival F2F). Through DJML, I discovered West Coast
Rag, as the American Rag used to be called, and was just blown away by
the plethora of festivals on the west coast, and paucity thereof in the
east. Started going to Great CT Jazz Festival maybe 12 years ago, and
have since gone to a number of festivals in CT, NJ, MA, FL, OH and CA. In
Logan, OH, 2 years ago, I was bitten by the washboard bug, and in Logan
this year was my performance debut (let me know if you want pix). Now I'm
ready to play anywhere - it was the most fun I've had with my pants on in
a long time!

I have also been active in the Troy Lions Club since '91, just completing
my 4th term as president in the last 7 years.

Bill Gunter was the first DJMLer I met, during one of his east-coast
excursions. Since then I have met many wonderful people and been exposed
to wonderful music that I wouldn't otherwise know about. I just love the
DJML and what I have gained from it!

Jerry Gordon, Troy, NY - Web master for
http://www.timesunion.com/communities/cbs    
http://www.timesunion.com/communities/jazz
http://www.timesunion.com/communities/lions   
http://www.timesunion.com/communities/lions/troy
http://www.timesunion.com/communities/LHS52and53