Kenneth Gordon, the son of national hero Dr Edgar Fitzgerald Gordon, died this week in London at the age of 86.

Mr Gordon, a musician, was also the half-brother of former Premier Dame Pamela Gordon and Health Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin

The youngest son of Dr Gordon and his first wife, Clara, Mr Gordon was raised in Somerset and attended the Bertha Higgins School and the Berkeley Institute.

He and his older brother Teddy, later Hakim, enrolled at Edinburgh University to study medicine but later left due to financial constraints and turned their attention to music.

Mr Gordon performed throughout Europe as a singer and drummer, working with artists such as Humphrey Lyttelton, Cab Kaye, Shake Keane and Dizzy Reece.

He also appeared in the 1963 film ‘The Small World of Sammy Lee’ with Jamaican bassist Coleridge Goode in a nightclub sequence featuring a piano trio.

Cousin Margaret Busby described Mr Gordon as a well-loved and respected figure in the London jazz scene who counted among his close friends singer Tony Bennett, drummer Roy Haynes and trumpeter Guy Barker.

Progressive Labour Party Leader Marc Bean today issued the following statement: “On behalf of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party, our members and supporters, I wish to extend condolences to the family of Ken Gordon. At this time of loss, words can be of small comfort, but please know that the prayers and support of our people are with you at this time.

“As the son of Dr EF Gordon, much of his time with his father would have been sacrificed, as he fought for freedom, justice and equality for Bermudians. We are grateful for the understanding and support that Mr Gordon and his family gave to our national hero and pray that they are comforted at this time of sorrow.”

He continued: “While Mr Gordon’s sisters — former Premier Dame Pamela Gordon-Banks and [Health] Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin — may not share our political views, we are united with them in mourning and in compassion for their loss.”

Mr Gordon is survived by his son, Tara, daughter, Serena, and wife Rene, along with family across the world.