Conversation so far:
When did Van Gelder begin recording?
He became a full-time recording engineer in 1959.
Did he win any awards during his early career?
CANNOTANSWER.
Who did he work with during his early career?
Alfred Lion, a producer for Blue Note Records.

Question: How did he become interested in music?
Self-contained rewrite: How did Rudy Van Gelder become interested in music?