Happy birthday, Dexter Gordon, born on this day in 1923! (1923-1990)

Born in Los Angeles, the one who was one of the best saxophonists of Bebop and the Hard bop, the young Dexter Gordon, (Los Angeles, February 27, 1923 — Philadelphia, April 25, 1990), learned musical theory and clarinet, before choosing, the high sax to fifteen years and, definitely the tenor two years later.

His career began with Lionel Hampton’s orchestra, with which he stayed for three years. After acting for six months with the Louis Armstrong orchestra (1944), he was hired by Billy Eckstine, for a period of a year and a half.

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Again in Los Angeles, he participated in a sextet next to Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, to then create his first quartet, with which he developed an intense activity between Los Angeles and New York. During this time he recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, Charlie Parker, JJ Johnson and Tadd Dameron, before associating with Wardell Gray, with whom he starred in interesting duels between 1947 and 1952 and from which the album “The Chase” (1947) was born.

After spending a few years in prison (1953-1955) for a drug issue, he recorded three albums, “Daddy Plays The Horn”, “Stanley The Steamer” and “Dexter Plays hot and cool”, which followed a period of oblivion to return in 1960 when he writes the music for the play, later passed to the cinema, “The Connection” Resurgence of Dexter Gordon ». Then he signed a contract with Blue Note that he would give seven excellent albums, among which “Doin’ allright”, “Dexter Calling” (both from 1961), “Go” and “A Swingin’ affair” (both of 1962) and above all, “Our Man in Paris” in 1963.

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Labor difficulties prevented him from being able to develop all his expressive talent. The invitation to act at Ronnie Scott’s of London was providential, which meant the beginning of a long European exile.

From 1962 it is installed in Denmark, where it is treated with respect and affection, recording many albums for the Steepplechase label with musicians living or are passing through Copenhagen, such as Kenny Drew, Horace Parlan or the Spanish pianist, Tete Montoliu. At the same time it occurs at many European festivals (Malmoe, Moldo, San Remo, Berlin, Lugano) and also in small clubs, leaving its masterful footprint in Paris through two historical Blue Note albums, the aforementioned, “Our Man in Paris” (1963, with Bud Powell) and “One Flight Up”.

However, he continued to go to New York for short periods of time. In 1976, for example, he was hired by Village Vanguard, on a return that meant the Renaissance of Bebop in the United States. From then on, his life was divided between the United States and Europe. His stellar participation in one of the eminent Jazz and cinema works as was the film directed by the French filmmaker, Bertrand Tavernier in 1986 and entitled “Round Midnight” was the glorious end and final point to a life full of music and sensitivity.

Dexter Gordon Discography (on Wikipedia)

Dexter Gordon — GO — 1962—FULL ALBUM

Go! is a studio album by jazz musician Dexter Gordon featuring Sonny Clark, Butch Warren and Billy Higgins, recorded on August 27, 1962 and released in the same year on Blue Note. According to the liner notes by Ira Gitler, this session was “not recorded in a nightclub performance but, in its informal symmetry, it matches the relaxed atmosphere that the best of those made in that manner engender. Everyone was really together, in all the most positive meanings of that word.” It was recorded by Rudy Van Gelder at the Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs.

From the beginning of the recording, just the first phrasings of the starting tune, it was clear that “Go” is one of those albums that leave you impregnated with a magical trail. Recorded to quartet with the pianist Sonny Clark, drummer Billy Higgins, and bassist Warren Butch, the contribution of these musicians is crucial for the success of the album, and Dexter Gordon flying over with his saxo above his companions. Dexter Gordon’s albums for the Blue Note label all have the same common denominator: they are authentic masterpieces.

Since its release, Go! has received very positive reviews from critics, with uDiscover Music—published by Universal Music Group—declaring that it is “unanimously hailed by jazz critics as one of his greatest ever albums”.

AllMusic giving it a five star rating. The album was re-released in March 1999 as part of Blue Note’s RVG Series, produced by Michael Cuscuna. In 2019, Go! was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

Personnel

Dexter Gordon – tenor saxophone
Sonny Clark – piano
Butch Warren – bass
Billy Higgins – drums

Track listing

1. “Cheese Cake” Dexter Gordon 6:33
2. “I Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out to Dry” Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn 5:23
3. “Second Balcony Jump” Billy Eckstine, Gerald Valentine 7:05
4. “Love for Sale” Cole Porter 7:40
5. “Where Are You?” Jimmy McHugh, Harold Adamson 5:21
6. “Three O’Clock in the Morning” Julián Robledo, Dorothy Terriss 5:42

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Dexter Gordon – Our Man in Paris (1963).

Our Man in Paris is a 1963 jazz album by saxophonist Dexter Gordon. The album’s title refers to where the recording was made, Gordon (who had moved to Copenhagen a year earlier) teaming up with fellow expatriates Bud Powell and Kenny Clarke, both Parisian residents, and native Parisian Pierre Michelot. Powell, Clarke and Michelot, under the name The Three Bosses, had played together often in Paris since Powell moved there in 1959.

The album was remastered by Rudy Van Gelder in 2003 and released as part of Blue Note’s RVG Edition series.

The original intention was for the pianist on the recording to be Kenny Drew and for the music to be new compositions by Gordon. However, the actual pianist used was Bud Powell, who would not play new music, so jazz standards were chosen during the rehearsal. The two tracks added to the CD release were originally issued by Blue Note on Bud Powell’s Alternate Takes in 1985.

Track Listing (CD reissue, this video)

1. “Scrapple from the Apple” Charlie Parker 7:22
2. “Willow Weep for Me” Ann Ronell 8:47
3. “Broadway” Billy BirdTeddy McRaeHenri Woode 6:44
4. “Stairway to the Stars” Matty MalneckMitchell ParishFrank Signorelli 6:57
5. “A Night in Tunisia” Dizzy GillespieFrank Paparelli 8:15
6. “Our Love is Here to Stay” George GershwinIra Gershwin 5:39
7. “Like Someone in Love” Jimmy Van HeusenJohnny Burke 6:19

Track listing (Original release)

1. “Scrapple from the Apple” Charlie Parker 7:22
2. “Willow Weep for Me” Ann Ronell 8:47
3. “Broadway” Billy BirdTeddy McRaeHenri Woode 6:44
4. “Stairway to the Stars” Matty MalneckMitchell ParishFrank Signorelli 6:57
5. “A Night in Tunisia” Dizzy GillespieFrank Paparelli 8:15

Musicians

• Dexter Gordon – tenor saxophone (except track 7)
• Bud Powell – piano
• Pierre Michelot – bass
• Kenny Clarke – drums