Gordon Stretton

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Gordon Stretton (born William Masters; 5 June 1887 – 3 May 1983) was an English singer, dancer and musical director. Of mixed Irish and Jamaican descent, he became one of Liverpool’s first internationally known musicians and is credited with bringing jazz to Latin America.

Early life and career
Stretton was born in Liverpool in 1887 and grew up around the city. As a child he joined The Five Boys (later The Eight Lancashire Lads) and began performing in music halls. In 1903 he started using the stage name Gordon Stretton. He built a solo career in Britain, performing in various venues and touring with diverse acts. He worked with the Jamaican Choral Union and, after moving to London, absorbed the growing jazz and ragtime styles. From 1913 to 1919 he sometimes played percussion with the Versatile Three (which became the Versatile Four). In 1923 he formed the Orchestre Syncopated Six and made recordings for Pathé, with singers such as Sadie Crawford.

Move to South America
Stretton’s career took him to Paris and Brazil before he settled in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the late 1920s. He led his own groups, performed at Cafe L’Aiglon, and appeared in the Argentine theatre scene. By 1929 he had founded Gordon Stretton’s Symphonic Jazz Band and began broadcasting on radio. He hosted the Hullo Jazz show on LR8 in Buenos Aires and led a 14‑piece band. He also accompanied Edward, Prince of Wales, during his Argentina tour.

Legacy in Argentina
In Argentina, Stretton helped develop local music life and was a founding member of SADAIC, the country’s music rights society, in 1936. During World War II he wrote and performed songs to raise funds for the British air force and the Red Cross. In the 1960s he ran a dance academy, continuing to influence performers into the 1970s.

Final years and death
Stretton retired in the 1970s. His last public performance was in 1980 at Café Tortoni in Buenos Aires with singer Lona Warren. He died on 3 May 1983 at the British Hospital in Buenos Aires and was buried at Cementerio Británico.

Gordon Stretton is remembered for bringing jazz to Latin America and for a long, varied career that spanned music halls, clubs, radio and the stage in Argentina. He wrote many songs, though many recordings have not survived.