GORDON MACKINNON
Gordon John MacKinnon, 86, of Las Vegas, passed away June 30, 2009. He was born July 25, 1922, in Toronto, Canada, and was a 37-year resident of Nevada.
Gordon truly was a caring, loving, talented and kind-hearted man who was passionate about his classical and jazz music.
He picked up his first horn in the 9th grade, the clarinet, and his love of music carried him through his life to play "all" the woodwinds with some of the greatest musicians of all time. We believe Gordon represents one of the greatest of his time. He told of stories sneaking out way after dark as a youngster to clubs where a youngster shouldn't be, just to hear the riffs of the jazz music he loved so very much.
Gordon played many years doing studio work in L.A. and at the Sahara Hotel with the Jack Eglash House Orchestra for venues to include Tony Bennett, Vic Damone and Jerry Vale. He also played with the Louie Basil Band and Las Vegas Woodwind Quintet.
Gordon and the gang enjoyed getting together, playing arrangements at one another's homes. Gordon was known for making the best reeds in the country. I am told that anybody who is somebody has one of Gordon's custom pieces in their mouth!
Gordon took a special interest in people. Those who wanted to play an instrument, he would give his student a horn and lessons at no fee. He loved the fact that kids still have an interest in music and enjoyed sharing his passion of playing a horn with them. (He gave me my first flute 33 years ago!)
Gordon was a life member of Local 369 Musicians Union and an AA Silver Member, 35 years of sobriety, and he sponsored many people along the way.
Gordon enthusiastically explored hobbies of tennis, golf, swing dancing, bowling and billiards. Always learning the inside and out of each to the fullest extent. He enjoyed these hobbies with his many wonderful and beloved friends. An man could he talk politics!
Gordon is survived by his daughter, Ann (Joseph) Vlk of Michigan; and his loving friend, Denise of Las Vegas.
The family and friends of Gordon are gathering to "Celebrate his Life" from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at De Stefano's, 3430 E. Tropicana Ave., to share some of his history, fun stories, live music (classical and jazz that Gordon loved and some he wrote and arranged). Feel free to bring your horns and play. Gordon would love it!
Published in Las Vegas Review-Journal on 7/12/2009
Gordon John MacKinnon, 86, of Las Vegas, passed away June 30, 2009. He was born July 25, 1922, in Toronto, Canada, and was a 37-year resident of Nevada.
Gordon truly was a caring, loving, talented and kind-hearted man who was passionate about his classical and jazz music.
He picked up his first horn in the 9th grade, the clarinet, and his love of music carried him through his life to play "all" the woodwinds with some of the greatest musicians of all time. We believe Gordon represents one of the greatest of his time. He told of stories sneaking out way after dark as a youngster to clubs where a youngster shouldn't be, just to hear the riffs of the jazz music he loved so very much.
Gordon played many years doing studio work in L.A. and at the Sahara Hotel with the Jack Eglash House Orchestra for venues to include Tony Bennett, Vic Damone and Jerry Vale. He also played with the Louie Basil Band and Las Vegas Woodwind Quintet.
Gordon and the gang enjoyed getting together, playing arrangements at one another's homes. Gordon was known for making the best reeds in the country. I am told that anybody who is somebody has one of Gordon's custom pieces in their mouth!
Gordon took a special interest in people. Those who wanted to play an instrument, he would give his student a horn and lessons at no fee. He loved the fact that kids still have an interest in music and enjoyed sharing his passion of playing a horn with them. (He gave me my first flute 33 years ago!)
Gordon was a life member of Local 369 Musicians Union and an AA Silver Member, 35 years of sobriety, and he sponsored many people along the way.
Gordon enthusiastically explored hobbies of tennis, golf, swing dancing, bowling and billiards. Always learning the inside and out of each to the fullest extent. He enjoyed these hobbies with his many wonderful and beloved friends. An man could he talk politics!
Gordon is survived by his daughter, Ann (Joseph) Vlk of Michigan; and his loving friend, Denise of Las Vegas.
The family and friends of Gordon are gathering to "Celebrate his Life" from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at De Stefano's, 3430 E. Tropicana Ave., to share some of his history, fun stories, live music (classical and jazz that Gordon loved and some he wrote and arranged). Feel free to bring your horns and play. Gordon would love it!
Published in Las Vegas Review-Journal on 7/12/2009
GORDON MACKINNON
Gordon John MacKinnon, 86, of Las Vegas, passed away June 30, 2009. He was born July 25, 1922, in Toronto, Canada, and was a 37-year resident of Nevada.
Gordon truly was a caring, loving, talented and kind-hearted man who was passionate about his classical and jazz music.
He picked up his first horn in the 9th grade, the clarinet, and his love of music carried him through his life to play "all" the woodwinds with some of the greatest musicians of all time. We believe Gordon represents one of the greatest of his time. He told of stories sneaking out way after dark as a youngster to clubs where a youngster shouldn't be, just to hear the riffs of the jazz music he loved so very much.
Gordon played many years doing studio work in L.A. and at the Sahara Hotel with the Jack Eglash House Orchestra for venues to include Tony Bennett, Vic Damone and Jerry Vale. He also played with the Louie Basil Band and Las Vegas Woodwind Quintet.
Gordon and the gang enjoyed getting together, playing arrangements at one another's homes. Gordon was known for making the best reeds in the country. I am told that anybody who is somebody has one of Gordon's custom pieces in their mouth!
Gordon took a special interest in people. Those who wanted to play an instrument, he would give his student a horn and lessons at no fee. He loved the fact that kids still have an interest in music and enjoyed sharing his passion of playing a horn with them. (He gave me my first flute 33 years ago!)
Gordon was a life member of Local 369 Musicians Union and an AA Silver Member, 35 years of sobriety, and he sponsored many people along the way.
Gordon enthusiastically explored hobbies of tennis, golf, swing dancing, bowling and billiards. Always learning the inside and out of each to the fullest extent. He enjoyed these hobbies with his many wonderful and beloved friends. An man could he talk politics!
Gordon is survived by his daughter, Ann (Joseph) Vlk of Michigan; and his loving friend, Denise of Las Vegas.
The family and friends of Gordon are gathering to "Celebrate his Life" from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at De Stefano's, 3430 E. Tropicana Ave., to share some of his history, fun stories, live music (classical and jazz that Gordon loved and some he wrote and arranged). Feel free to bring your horns and play. Gordon would love it!
Published in Las Vegas Review-Journal on 7/12/2009
Gordon John MacKinnon, 86, of Las Vegas, passed away June 30, 2009. He was born July 25, 1922, in Toronto, Canada, and was a 37-year resident of Nevada.
Gordon truly was a caring, loving, talented and kind-hearted man who was passionate about his classical and jazz music.
He picked up his first horn in the 9th grade, the clarinet, and his love of music carried him through his life to play "all" the woodwinds with some of the greatest musicians of all time. We believe Gordon represents one of the greatest of his time. He told of stories sneaking out way after dark as a youngster to clubs where a youngster shouldn't be, just to hear the riffs of the jazz music he loved so very much.
Gordon played many years doing studio work in L.A. and at the Sahara Hotel with the Jack Eglash House Orchestra for venues to include Tony Bennett, Vic Damone and Jerry Vale. He also played with the Louie Basil Band and Las Vegas Woodwind Quintet.
Gordon and the gang enjoyed getting together, playing arrangements at one another's homes. Gordon was known for making the best reeds in the country. I am told that anybody who is somebody has one of Gordon's custom pieces in their mouth!
Gordon took a special interest in people. Those who wanted to play an instrument, he would give his student a horn and lessons at no fee. He loved the fact that kids still have an interest in music and enjoyed sharing his passion of playing a horn with them. (He gave me my first flute 33 years ago!)
Gordon was a life member of Local 369 Musicians Union and an AA Silver Member, 35 years of sobriety, and he sponsored many people along the way.
Gordon enthusiastically explored hobbies of tennis, golf, swing dancing, bowling and billiards. Always learning the inside and out of each to the fullest extent. He enjoyed these hobbies with his many wonderful and beloved friends. An man could he talk politics!
Gordon is survived by his daughter, Ann (Joseph) Vlk of Michigan; and his loving friend, Denise of Las Vegas.
The family and friends of Gordon are gathering to "Celebrate his Life" from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, at De Stefano's, 3430 E. Tropicana Ave., to share some of his history, fun stories, live music (classical and jazz that Gordon loved and some he wrote and arranged). Feel free to bring your horns and play. Gordon would love it!
Published in Las Vegas Review-Journal on 7/12/2009
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