The Baton Rouge arts community is mourning the loss of one of its greatest champions and talents today. Derek Gordon—who returned to his native Baton Rouge in the summer of 2006 to take over as CEO of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, after holding leadership positions with internationally renowned arts organizations in New York City and Washington, D.C.—died early this morning. He was 57.
“He’s just one of those individuals whose void you can’t even try to fill,” says Gerri Hobdy, chairperson of the Louisiana State Arts Council. “Derek was a real treasure in our community—someone who was often counted among the most influential jazzmen in the world—and to have had him back in our community for the time that we did is still just unbelievable to me. You can’t fill that void.”
On July 19, the arts council announced Gordon was taking leave due to complications following an eye surgery, and Kathy Scherer was appointed acting director.
Scherer says a service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Cathedral downtown. In lieu of flowers, Gordon’s family is requesting donations be made to the Derek E. Gordon Arts Fund through the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge.
“Derek’s work elevated Baton Rouge’s profile on the national stage,” reads a statement from the arts council. “His legacy will continue through the signature programs that he created, including the River City Jazz Masters series, revitalization efforts of the Old South Baton Rouge community through the arts, and through providing greater access to the arts for the entire community.”
Gordon began his distinguished musical career as many do: in his local church choir. He graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in music, with a focus on vocal performance, in 1975. A year later, he added a master’s degree.
Prior to returning to Baton Rouge, Gordon spent three years with Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, where he was senior vice president, president and CEO. And prior to that, he was senior vice president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., for 12 years.
“He started his professional career in the arts working with the Baton Rouge Gallery and the arts council and then went on to the state’s arts council before leaving to run other local and state arts agencies. Of course, that was before going to the Kennedy Center, where he transformed the arts and arts education in this country,” says Hobdy. “But even while he was at the Kennedy Center, he always made sure that Louisiana and Baton Rouge in particular were included in important arts initiatives.”
After returning to Baton Rouge, Gordon immediately began expanding arts programming in the community. He’s credited with revitalizing the arts council, initiating the River City Jazz Masters series, and collaborating to create a community dance residency program that has provided world-class training and performance opportunities for young people of all ages, races and socioeconomic backgrounds.
“He wanted to come back to Baton Rouge and contribute to his home after coming from the national and international stage, which really speaks to his personality and his commitment to his hometown,” says BRAF President and CEO John Davies. “It’s a monstrous loss for our community.”
In addition to his many contributions to the arts community, Gordon also served on the boards overseeing CPEX and the East Baton Rouge Parish Library System.
