Gordon has been playing guitar for more than 40 years. He began his musical education as a private student of the piano, and went on to apply the music theory and concepts he learned to the guitar. He performed in clubs in Boston, Massachusetts and Rochester, New York, before moving to Eugene. Gordon earned a Platinum Award at the 2001 Worldfest film festival, for composing, performing, and recording the World Beat musical score for the documentary film, "The Passionate Harvest" (on the subject of international coffee culture and agriculture). "The Performer," a song he co-authored, has ben featured in made-for-TV films on ABC and Cinemax, and covered by several noted jazz singers. He performs locally on both guitar and piano, and plays the electric bass guitar, as well. Gordon has been a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, since 1988. He has been teaching guitar at The Shedd since 2007.