Label: Blue Note (U.S.), CDP 7 96579 2
Style: Jazz, Hard Bop
Country: Los Angeles, California, U.S. (February 27, 1923 - April 25, 1990)
Time: 63:20
Format: Flac Tracks 16/44,1 kHz
Size: 354 Mb
Dexter Gordon had such a colorful and eventful life (with three
separate comebacks) that his story would make a great Hollywood movie.
The top tenor saxophonist to emerge during the bop era and possessor of
his own distinctive sound, Gordon sometimes was long-winded and quoted
excessively from other songs, but he created a large body of superior
work and could battle nearly anyone successfully at a jam session. His
first important gig was with Lionel Hampton (1940-1943) although, due to
Illinois Jacquet also being in the sax section, Gordon did not get any
solos. In 1943, he did get to stretch out on a recording session with
Nat King Cole. Short stints with Lee Young, the Fletcher Henderson
Orchestra, and Louis Armstrong’s big band preceded his move to New York
in December 1944 and becoming part of Billy Eckstine’s Orchestra,
trading off with Gene Ammons on Eckstine’s recording of “Blowin’ the
Blues Away.” Gordon recorded with Dizzy Gillespie (“Blue ‘N’ Boogie”)
and as a leader for Savoy before returning to Los Angeles in the summer
of 1946. He was a major part of the Central Avenue scene, trading off
with Wardell Gray and Teddy Edwards in many legendary tenor battles;
studio recordings of “The Chase” and “The Duel” helped to document the
atmosphere of the period.
After 1952, drug problems resulted in some jail time and periods of inactivity during the ’50s (although Gordon did record two albums in 1955). By 1960, he was recovered and soon he was recording a consistently rewarding series of dates for Blue Note. Just when he was regaining his former popularity, in 1962 Gordon moved to Europe where he would stay until 1976. While on the continent, he was in peak form and Gordon’s many SteepleChase recordings rank with the finest work of his career. Gordon did return to the U.S. on an occasional basis, recording in 1965, 1969-1970, and 1972, but he was to an extent forgotten in his native land. It was therefore a major surprise that his return in 1976 was treated as a major media event. A great deal of interest was suddenly shown in the living legend with long lines of people waiting at clubs in order to see him. Gordon was signed to Columbia and remained a popular figure until his gradually worsening health made him semi-active by the early ’80s. His third comeback occurred when he was picked to star in the motion picture ‘Round Midnight. Gordon’s acting was quite realistic and touching. He was nominated for an Academy Award, four years before his death after a very full life. Most of Dexter Gordon’s recordings for Savoy, Dial, Bethlehem, Dootone, Jazzland, Blue Note, SteepleChase, Black Lion, Prestige, Columbia, Who’s Who, Chiaroscuro, and Elektra Musician are currently available. ~ Scott Yanow
(bluenote.com/artist/dexter-gordon/)
After 1952, drug problems resulted in some jail time and periods of inactivity during the ’50s (although Gordon did record two albums in 1955). By 1960, he was recovered and soon he was recording a consistently rewarding series of dates for Blue Note. Just when he was regaining his former popularity, in 1962 Gordon moved to Europe where he would stay until 1976. While on the continent, he was in peak form and Gordon’s many SteepleChase recordings rank with the finest work of his career. Gordon did return to the U.S. on an occasional basis, recording in 1965, 1969-1970, and 1972, but he was to an extent forgotten in his native land. It was therefore a major surprise that his return in 1976 was treated as a major media event. A great deal of interest was suddenly shown in the living legend with long lines of people waiting at clubs in order to see him. Gordon was signed to Columbia and remained a popular figure until his gradually worsening health made him semi-active by the early ’80s. His third comeback occurred when he was picked to star in the motion picture ‘Round Midnight. Gordon’s acting was quite realistic and touching. He was nominated for an Academy Award, four years before his death after a very full life. Most of Dexter Gordon’s recordings for Savoy, Dial, Bethlehem, Dootone, Jazzland, Blue Note, SteepleChase, Black Lion, Prestige, Columbia, Who’s Who, Chiaroscuro, and Elektra Musician are currently available. ~ Scott Yanow
(bluenote.com/artist/dexter-gordon/)
01. Darn That Dream (07:32) (1955)
02. Don't Explain (06:06) (1962)
03. I'm A Fool To Want You (06:45) (1965)
04. Ernie's Tune (04:16) (1962)
05. You've Changed (07:27) (1961)
06. Willow Weep For Me (08:48) (1963)
07. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry (05:22) (1962)
08. Body And Soul (17:00) (1967)
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