Author Claire P. Gordon To Appear On The Authors Show To Discuss Her Latest Novel 'The Color Of Music'

Claire P. Gordon, Duke Ellington’s secretary when she was in her 20’s, is the author of several books about jazz . 'The Color of Music', her first novel, is an unusual story about bi-racial twins. She will talk during her appearance on The Authors Show on December 23, 2010

Claire P. Gordon, who lives on the California Central Coast, recently announced the publication of her first novel, “The Color of Music.” Her previous books about jazz are 'Boy Meets Horn, the Autobiography of Rex Stewart', 'Marshal Royal, Jazz Survivor' and 'My Unforgettable Jazz Friends'. In the “The Color of Music” she tells a gripping story about twins. Although separated and raised in different cultures, both twins have musical talent and like jazz.

In the story, the children are the identical boy twins of a couple – the father a famous black jazz pianist and the mother, his blonde girl friend. She is alone when the twins are born and unable to keep them. One is raised by a French couple, who didn’t know that his father was black, and the other adopted by a black American couple who know about this about the father, but nothing else.

"This novel," stated Ms. Gordon, "has been rolling around in my head for many years. The twins are separated at birth. One is kept by a French couple, raised as their own child, and brought to Quebec, Canada where he grows up. The other is adopted by a black American family and spends most of his childhood years in Los Angeles. The reader gets to watch them grow up, and sees the many problems that arise. There are twists and turns and cliff-hangers in every chapter."

Claire Gordon brings a unique and personal perspective to this story, as she was the secretary for Duke Ellington. A Caucasian, she served in this role during a time when race and color were not issues to be politely debated or discussed. Segregation was a hard cold fact of every day life. She observed discrimination against these world class musicians, allowing her to bring a perspective to 'The Color Of Music' that very few people could manage.

Ms. Gordon has recently been interviewed on television and will appear as a featured guest on The Authors Show Radio at www.TheAuthorsShow.com on December 23, 2010. She is available for media interview and can be contacted using the information below or by email at clgordon@charter.net.'The Color Of Music' is available at her website at www.ClaireGordonJazz.com and from Amazon.com. 'The Color Of Music' is available in both paperback and Kindle versions.

Claire P Gordon
The Color Of Music
ISBN 978-0-9749814-0-6

Profile:

Claire P. Gordon was born in Los Angeles, California. The subject of twins always intrigued her because she was raised with a cousin her age, creating the concept and inner feeling of being a twin.

Claire skipped through school, graduating from LA High when she was sixteen. She enrolled at UCLA and then transferred to Berkeley, Her first love was music and specifically jazz music. Through a series of strokes of luck she became acquainted with Duke Ellington and eventually became his first and probably only secretary.

While working there, she met the young songwriter, Irving Gordon. They began seeing each other and after a year, they married. Irving’s career flourished as he turned out many songs. One that he placed with a publisher was a disappointment because the company had been unable to get anyone to record the song. When Claire heard this, she dialed Nat Cole's number. Her old friend had become a big celebrity but not too big to remember his long-time fans. Nat King Cole looked at the sheet music, played the notes and sang the words. “I’ll record this for you, Claire,” he said. Thus was born one of his biggest hits, 'Unforgettable'.

Claire Gordon is the author of 'Boy Meets Horn, the Autobiography of Rex Stewart', 'Marshal Royal, Jazz Survivor', her own memoir entitled 'My Unforgettable Jazz Friends' and finally 'The Color Of Music'.

Contact:

Claire P. Gordon
clgordon@charter.net
www.clairegordonjazz.com
PO Box 526
Pismo Beach, Ca 93448