As one of the excellent tenors to emerge from Los Angeles’ Central Opportunity scene, Dexter Gordon led a vibrant and eventful, in some cases terrible life that consisted of 3 victorious returns in a four-plus-decade profession. As a precious, prominent member of the bebop generation, his story (and Bud Powell’s) motivated French director Bertrand Tavernier to inform a part of it in the 1986 drama Round Midnight and to cast him in a lead function. Gordon was the leading tenor saxophonist throughout the bop period and had his own unique noise, he produced a big body of remarkable work and might effectively fight almost anybody at a jam session. His years as a leader and co-leader at Dial, Savoy, and Blue Note sufficed to make him a legend. Residing in Europe for more than a lots years, he taped similarly great albums for Status, Steeplechase, and other labels, and his go back to the U.S. led to a number of releases for Columbia and Blue Note.
Gordon was born to distinguished moms and dads in Los Angeles in1923 His daddy, Dr. Frank Gordon, was amongst the very first Black medical professionals in the city after finishing from Howard Medical School in Washington, D.C. in1918 (His clients consisted of Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton.) His mom, Gwendolyn Baker, was the child of Captain Edward Baker, among the 5 Black Medal of Honor receivers throughout the Spanish– American War. Gordon started playing clarinet at age 13 and changed to saxophone 2 years later on. While at school, he played in bands with Chico Hamilton and Friend Collette. His initially essential gig was with Lionel Hampton (1940 to 1943) although, due to Illinois Jacquet likewise remaining in the sax area, Gordon did not get any solos.
In 1943, he did get to extend on a recording session with Nat King Cole. Brief stints with Lee Young, the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, and Louis Armstrong’s huge band preceded his transfer to New york city in December 1944, where he was worked with for Billy Eckstine’s Orchestra, compromising with Gene Ammons on Eckstine’s recording of “Blowin’ the Blues Away.” Gordon taped with Dizzy Gillespie (” Blue ‘N’ Boogie”) and as a leader for Savoy prior to going back to Los Angeles in the summertime of1946 He was a huge part of the Central Opportunity scene, compromising with Wardell Gray and Teddy Edwards in lots of famous tenor fights; studio recordings of “The Chase” and “The Battle” assisted to record the environment of the duration.
After 1952, drug issues led to prison time and durations of lack of exercise throughout the remainder of the ’50 s (although Gordon did tape-record 2 albums in 1955). By 1960, he had actually recuperated adequately to cut a core series of dates for Blue Note consisting of Doin’ Alright, Dexter Calling, Swingin’ Affair and Go). After re-establishing his track record, he relocated to Europe in 1962 and stayed there till1976 While on the continent, he remained in peak kind– Gordon’s lots of SteepleChase recordings rank with the finest work of his profession and consist of 4 dates with altoist Jackie McLean. Gordon went back to the U.S. on a periodic basis, tape-recording in 1965, 1969 and 1970, and 1972, however already he was nearly forgotten in the U.S. although he stayed a significant destination in Europe. Offered this status, it showed an odd yet welcome surprise that his go back to America in 1976 was dealt with as a significant media occasion, highlighted by the double-live Homecoming LP from his American trip, and the studio date Advanced Giant in1977 A lot of interest was all of a sudden offered the living legend, with long lines of individuals waiting at clubs to see him. In 1978, appearing with Johnny Griffin, he offered out Carnegie Hall. Gordon stayed a popular figure till his slowly getting worse health made him just semi-active by the early ’80 s. His 3rd return took place when he was selected to star in the movie ‘Round Midnight. Gordon’s performing was rather sensible and touching. He was chosen for an Academy Award 4 years prior to his death.
In the 21 st century, a number of essential live finds have actually been released, consisting of the Dutch Archives’ In the Cavern: Live at Persepolis, Utrecht, 1963, Rhino’s vinyl-only Live at the Playboy Jazz Celebration, and Elemental’s At the Train Club 1973 …( by Scott Yanow; AllMusic)
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https://www.facebook.com/dextergordon.official
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Tracklist:
1. 2nd Terrace Dive (B.Eckstine/ G.Valentine).
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Worker:
1. Dexter Gordon – tenor sax
2. Kenny Drew – piano
3. Gilbert Bibi Rovere – bass
4. Art Taylor – drums.
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Category: Jazz/Hard Bop
Tape-recorded: Reside In Switzerland, Holland; 1963.
Professional Photographer – Alec Dorsey.
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