A play and an alto saxophonist pulled Dexter Gordon out of West Coast obscurity in 1960 and helped revive the bebop pioneer's career. The play was The Connection, which included a performing jazz band in its cast and inspired a classic original score from Freddie Redd as well as subsequent compositions by Kenny Drew, Cecil Payne, and Cecil Taylor. Gordon was the play's musical director in his hometown of Los Angeles, and some of Gordon's score is documented here. Cannonball Adderley produced the session (and many others for Riverside/Jazzland at the time).
The bebop legend rebounded from drug busts and jail time with this stellar streak of 1961–65 Blue Note LPs: "Doin’ Allright," "Dexter Calling," "A Swingin’ Affair," "One Flight Up" and "Gettin’ Around." His tenor teams with Freddie Hubbard, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, Kenny Drew, Donald Byrd, Bobby Hutcherson and more on "You’ve Changed," "It’s You or No One," "Soul Sister," "Modal Mood," "Ernie’s Tune," "The Backbone," "Darn That Dream," "Manha De Carnaval," "Shiny Stockings" and more! Blue Note.
Dexter Gordon thrived on the attention of European jazz fans while living there during the 1960s and early '70s, while he also had a wealth of opportunities to record for labels on the continent. This 1975 session for Steeplechase, one of a dozen he made as a leader for the label in the mid-'70s, finds him in top form, accompanied by pianist Tete Montoliu, along with frequent collaborators Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on bass and drummer Billy Higgins. Gordon's big tone carries the brisk treatment of Charlie Parker's "Billie's Bounce," though he inserts a few humorous quotes into his solo as well.
Dexter Gordon - "5 Original Albums" Dexter Gordon's early recordings for Blue Note from 1961 -65 that have all gained iconic status. [5 CD] Doin' Allright - Dexter Calling - A Swingin' Affair - One Flight Up - Gettin' Around
The acclaim that met Dexter Gordon when he returned to the United States after 14 years in Europe was completely unexpected. Not only did the jazz critics praise the great tenor but there were literally lines of young fans waiting to see his performances. This double CD, recorded during his historic first American tour, improved on the original double LP with the inclusion of previously unreleased versions of "Fried Bananas" and "Body and Soul." Gordon – in a quintet with trumpeter Woody Shaw, pianist Ronnie Mathews, bassist Stafford James, and drummer Louis Hayes – frequently sounds exuberant on these lengthy performances; eight of the ten songs are at least 11 minutes long. The excitement of the period can definitely be felt in this excellent music.
This CD contains two separate European sessions taken from radio broadcasts. Tenor-saxophonist Dexter Gordon, who had just moved to Europe, is heard on lengthy versions of "I'll Remember April" and "Cry Me a River" from 1962 with a Danish trio comprised of pianist Atli Bjorn, bassist Marcel Rigot and drummer Williams Schiopffe. The two 1964 numbers ("The Thrill Is Gone" and "Suite") are by Bjorn's 1964 trio with bassist Benny Nielsen and drummer Finn Frederiksen; the talented pianist is well-showcased.
The harmonically advanced trumpeter Thad Jones is a perfect contrast to the tenor of Dexter Gordon on this enjoyable Prestige LP. Gordon was somewhat forgotten in the United States at the time (his "comeback" was still four years away), but is in excellent form on the four numbers, particularly during a passionate version of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."