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Masters of the Last Century: Best of Dexter Gordon, Dexter Gordon

Dexter Gordon

March 3rd, 2014

Born:
February 27, 1923 in Los Angeles, CA

Genre:
Jazz

Years Active:
'40s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s






Dexter Gordon

Biography

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.. 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.

Top Albums

Masters of the Last Century: Best of Dexter Gordon, Dexter Gordon
1. Masters of t..
Tangerine, Dexter Gordon
2. Tangerine
'Round Midnight (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Dexter Gordon
3. 'Round Midni..
Biting the Apple, Dexter Gordon
4. Biting the A..
Body and Soul, Dexter Gordon
5. Body and Sou..
Go! (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition Remastered), Dexter Gordon
6. Go! (The Rud..
Sophisticated Giant, Dexter Gordon
7. Sophisticate..
Homecoming - Live At the Village Vanguard, Dexter Gordon
8. Homecoming -..
The Apartment, Dexter Gordon
9. The Apartmen..
Swiss Nights, Vol. 1, Dexter Gordon
10. Swiss Nights..
Manhattan Symphonie, Dexter Gordon
11. Manhattan Sy..
More Power! (Remastering), Dexter Gordon
12. More Power! ..
The Classic Blue Note Recordings, Dexter Gordon
13. The Classic ..
Our Man In Paris (feat. Bud Powell, Pierre Michelot & Kenny Clarke), Dexter Gordon
14. Our Man In P..
Stable Mable, Dexter Gordon
15. Stable Mable
Our Man In Amsterdam, Dexter Gordon
16. Our Man In A..
The Jumpin' Blues, Dexter Gordon
17. The Jumpin' ..
Bouncin' With Dex, Dexter Gordon
18. Bouncin' Wit..
Ballads, Dexter Gordon
19. Ballads
The Tower of Power (Remastered), Dexter Gordon
20. The Tower of..

Top Songs

NameAlbumTimePrice
1.
Cheese CakeGo! (The Rudy Van Gelder Ed..6:33$1.29
2.
Watermelon ManJukebox Favourites - Best o..7:08$0.99
3.
Lullaby of BirdlandJazz4:16$0.99
4.
ConfirmationJazz Effect - Dexter Gordon7:51$0.99
5.
Darn That DreamJazz Effect - Dexter Gordon4:24$0.99
6.
Autumn in New YorkJazz Effect - Dexter Gordon6:31$0.99
7.
JodiJazz Effect - Dexter Gordon6:39$0.99
8.
Field DayJazz Effect - Dexter Gordon6:44$0.99
9.
Le CoiffeurBlue Note Blend 1 (Remaster..7:00$1.29
10.
Devilette (Remastered)High Fidelity Jazz: Jazz St..7:02$0.99
11.
You Stepped out of a DreamStairway to the Stars6:34$0.99
12.
Night in TunisiaStairway to the Stars8:15$0.99
13.
Scrapple from the AppleStairway to the Stars7:22$0.99
14.
Willow Weep for MeStairway to the Stars8:47$0.99
15.
Stairway to the StarsStairway to the Stars6:57$0.99
16.
LandslideDexter Calling (The Rudy Va..5:15$1.29
17.
SmileDexter Calling (The Rudy Va..3:23$1.29
18.
Ernie's TuneDexter Calling (The Rudy Va..4:16$1.29
19.
Clear the DexDexter Calling (The Rudy Va..4:54$1.29
20.
End of a Love AffairDexter Calling (The Rudy Va..6:53$1.29
21.
Everybody's Somebody's FoolGettin' Around (The Rud..6:45$1.29
22.
Shiny StockingsGettin' Around (The Rud..6:18$1.29
23.
Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs..Gettin' Around (The Rud..5:15$1.29
24.
(It Will Have to Do) Until the Real ..Swingin' Affair6:50$1.29
25.
You Stepped Out of a DreamSwingin' Affair6:34$1.29

Top Music Videos

What's New (Live), Dexter Gordon
1. What's New (L...


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