Gordon’s artistry as an accompanist on the piano first emerged when he began playing piano for contra dances, in the late 1970’s. Sensitive to the nuances of melody players (usually fiddle, flute and whistle), and equally tuned in to the dancers, Gordon developed a style that is rhythmically responsible and inventive with embellishments that fuel the electricity of the dance floor. An early fan described his style as “barrelhouse Irish”.

Gordon subsequently broadened his musical ventures to include folk, blues, and jazz, all of which can be explored on this website. In any setting, Gordon supports and enhances the musicians he plays with.

He also enjoys developing a motif he refers to as “contra cocktail”, providing background music for social events, playing jazzy renderings of traditional fiddle tunes, intermixed with jazz standards and his own improvisations. He also provides joyful music for weddings - and funerals! He was recently asked to provide some preliminary funeral music all based on songs from Disney films. Anything is possible!

Gordon has taught piano workshops in a variety of settings, including music and dance camps such as Ashokan, Pinewoods. and the Augusta Heritage Center. He was on the staff of Maine Fiddle Camp for the June sessions in 2018 and 2019.

Gordon's reputation as a piano player grew significantly during the ten years from 1985 to 1995 when he was playing with the late Kerry Elkin in the band Fresh Fish. During this time he also played with Rodney Miller, Randy Miller, and Skip Gorman in the New Hampshire Fiddlers Union, who played at the 10th annual Shetland Folk Festival. 

In addition to performing, Gordon is a composer, arranger, workshop leader, and musical project organizer. 

Gordon was a founding director of the Monadnock Folklore Society, which continues to present concerts in the Nelson Town Hall. For several years he was President of the Board of the Monadnock Center for History and Culture in Peterborough, where he launched the Music in Bass Hall concert series.