Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

February 14, 1915 in Brooklyn, NY

Death

:

December 1, 1996 in Los Angeles, CA

 

Irving Gordon was an American songwriter and composer who was born on February 14, 1915, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the youngest of six children in a Jewish family. His father was a tailor, and his mother was a homemaker. Gordon showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, where he played in the school band and orchestra. After high school, Gordon attended the City College of New York, where he studied music theory and composition. He also played in various jazz bands and worked as a pianist in nightclubs. In 1937, he wrote his first hit song, "Jeepers Creepers," which was recorded by Louis Armstrong. The song became a popular jazz standard and was later featured in several movies. Gordon continued to write songs throughout the 1940s and 1950s, working with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. He wrote the lyrics and music for several popular songs, including "Unforgettable," "Prelude to a Kiss," and "What Will I Tell My Heart." In 1951, Gordon wrote what would become his most famous song, "Unforgettable." The song was originally recorded by Nat King Cole, and it became a huge hit, reaching number 12 on the Billboard charts. The song has since been covered by numerous artists, including Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Natalie Cole, who recorded a duet with her father's original recording. Gordon continued to write songs throughout the 1960s and 1970s, but he also began to focus more on composing classical music. He wrote several pieces for orchestra, including "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra" and "Symphony No. 1." He also wrote several chamber music pieces, including "String Quartet No. 1" and "Sonata for Violin and Piano." In addition to his work as a composer, Gordon was also a respected music educator. He taught at several universities, including the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles. He also wrote several books on music theory and composition, including "The Songwriter's Handbook" and "The Composer's Handbook." Gordon received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Songwriters Hall of Fame's Johnny Mercer Award in 1996. He continued to write music and teach until his death on December 1, 1996, at the age of 81. In conclusion, Irving Gordon was a prolific songwriter and composer who made significant contributions to both popular and classical music. His most famous song, "Unforgettable," has become a timeless classic, and his work as a composer has been performed by orchestras and chamber groups around the world. His legacy as a music educator and author has also had a lasting impact on the music industry.

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