Lanny Gordin

Alexander Gordin, better known as Lanny Gordin, was a Brazilian guitarist and composer who collaborated with artists such as Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, among others.

Biography

Alexander Gordin was born in Shanghai, to a Russian father and a Polish mother. He grew up in Israel until age six, when his family moved to Brazil. There, his father owned a nightclub, Stardust, in São Paulo. Gordin played live there for the first time with artists such as Hermeto Pascoal and Heraldo do Monte.
Lanny Gordin's first major works were with artists from Jovem Guarda. One of his recordings from this period is the song "Nem Sim, Nem Não", by Eduardo Araújo, recorded in 1968. Gordin then began to play with artists from Tropicália, recording the albums Gal Costa, Gal, LeGal and Gal a Todo Vapor|Fatal - A Todo Vapor], with Gal Costa; Caetano Veloso, by Caetano Veloso ; Gilberto Gil and Expresso 2222, by Gilberto Gil. He also played in Jards Macalé's 1972 self-titled album.
From the end of the 1970s until the 1990s, Gordin lived practically ostracized, mainly due to his mental health and drug abuse. He had a comeback in 2001, recording his first solo album, "Lanny Gordin", by the label Baratos Afins. From 2002 on, he played with the band Projeto Alfa.
Gordin died in São Paulo on his birthday, 28 November 2023, at the age of 72.