Dexter Gordon

True Blue is led in title under the auspices of Dexter Gordon as a welcome home party conducted by Don Schlitten for the expatriate tenor saxophonist in 1976. Essentially a jam session, this very talented septet features a two tenor-two trumpet front line, utilized to emphasize the soloing strength of the horns, not necessarily in joyous shouts or big-band like unison outbursts. The real star here is Barry Harris, and if you listen closely to his comping behind the soloist or his many colorful chords and single-line runs, you realize how brilliant he continued to be in his prime during this beyond-bebop time frame. The distinctly different, legato flavored sound of Al Cohn contrasts nicely to the broader range and richer tones of Gordon, while Blue Mitchell's warm West Coast trumpet phrasings also run aside but a little behind the animated and clipped brassy sounds of Sam Noto, a player deserving much wider recognition, and playing to the hilt on this recording. The session kicks off with the classic superimposed melodies of "Lady Bird" and "Half Nelson," with melodies split between the trumpet and tenor tandems.

This previously unreleased recording features the legendary saxophonist Dexter Gordon with his quartet, George Cables (piano), Rufus Reid (bass) and Eddie Gladden (drums), captured live at the Chateauvallon Jazz Festival in 1978. The 180gm virgin vinyl pressing features extended versions of 'Tangerine' and 'More Than You Know' and is packaged in a gatefold sleeve with liner notes by famed jazz producer Michael Cuscuna, Penguin Guide to Jazz's Brian Morton and Gordon's widow, Maxine. "The original quartet was at its peak from its first notes to its last gig, as this concert bears out. Dexter is in a joyous and fiery mood, peppering his solos with outrageous quotes from other songs and stretching out. Few recordings by this amazing foursome have surfaced. This concert is a worthy addition to their discography."

Elemental Music presents a complete previously unissued quartet performance by the great Dexter Gordon. This astonishing concert marked Gordon's first appearance ever in Japan, backed by an all-star rhythm section consisting of Kenny Drew on piano, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, and Albert Tootie Heath on drums. The album includes a 16 pg. booklet containing special essays by famed jazz producer Michael Cuscuna and Dexter's widow, Maxine Gordon. The CD version contains 2 bonus tracks, also previously unreleased.