Dexter Gordon

Dexter Gordon (27 Februarie 1923 – 25 April 1990) was 'n Amerikaanse jazzmusikant wat die saxofoon gespeel het. Hy was een van die mees invloedryke vroeëre bebop musikante, welke groep ander groot kunstenaars soos Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie en Bud Powell ingesluit het. Gordon het vanweë sy aansienlike lengte ook bekendgestaan as "Long Tall Dexter" en "Sophisticated Giant". Sy loopbaan het oor 'n tydperk van meer as 40 jaar gestrek.

Gordon se klank word gewoonlik gekarakteriseer as "groot" en ruim. Hy was bekend daarvoor dat hy musikale aanhalings in sy solo's ingevoeg het, met bronne so uiteenlopend soos "Happy Birthday" en bekende melodieë uit die opera's van Wagner. Dit is nie ongewoon in jazz improvisasie nie, maar Gordon het dit gereeld genoeg gedoen om dit 'n kenmerk van sy styl te maak. Een van sy grootste invloede was Lester Young. Gordon was op sy beurt 'n vroeë invloed op John Coltrane en Sonny Rollins. Rollins en Coltrane het op hul beurt Gordon se spel beïnvloed toe hy hard bop gedurende die 1960's verken het.

Gordon was bekend as 'n humoristiese musikant. Hy was 'n voorstander daarvan om met die gehoor te kommunikeer. , wat ook sy musikale benadering was. Sy improvisasie was opvallend boeiend en intelligent, maar nooit onnodiglik kompleks of uitermate ongewoon nie. Dit was altyd 'n gesprek wat tegelykertyd aangenaam en intellektueel was. Een van sy eienaardige rituele was om lirieke uit elke ballade voor te dra voordat dit gespeel word.

'n Foto deur Herman Leonard van Gordon in 1948 waartydens hy by die Royal roost tyd afknyp om te rook is een van die mees ikoniese beelde in jazz-fotografie.  Sigarette was 'n deurlopende tema op Gordon se albumomslae.

Gordon is genomineer vir 'n Oscar vir Beste Akteur in 'n Leidende Rol vir sy optrede in Bertrand Tavernier se rolprent Round Midnight uit 1986. Hy het 'n Grammy-toekenning gewen vir die beste instrumentale uitvoering (Jazz) as solis vir die klankbaan van dié rolprent (Die album is getiteld The Other Side of Round Midnight. Die plate-etiket is Blue Note Records). Hy het ook 'n rol in die rolprent getiteld Awakenings (1990), vertolk. In 2018 is Gordon se album getiteld Go (Blue Note, 1962) deur die Biblioteek van die Kongres van die Verenigde State gekies vir bewaring in die Nasionale Opnameregister as synde van "kulturele, historiese of estetiese betekenis".

Diskografie

As 'n leier 

Dexter Rides Again (1947 78 album; Savoy MG 12130, 1992; SV-120, 2010)
The Hunt met Wardell Gray (1947 78 album; Savoy SJL 2222, 1976)
Dexter Gordon – The Chase met Wardell Gray (Dial Records, 1947, heruitgereik as Spotlite (E) SPJ 130)Dexter Gordon – Move! (Dial Records, 1947, heruitgereik as Spotlite (E) SPJ 133)The Duel met Teddy Edwards (Dial, Spotlite, 1947)Dexter Gordon On Dial, The Complete Sessions – The Chase (kompilasie, Spotlite (E) SPJ 130 CD)Dexter Gordon – Long Tall Dexter (Savoy SJL 2211, 1976, kompilasie van snitte uit die 1940's [Savoy])Dexter Gordon: Settin' the Pace (Savoy SVY 17027, kompilasie van snitte uit die 1940's [Savoy] studio snitte)Dexter's Mood (Cool & Blue [Switserland] C&B CD-114, 1994, kompilasie van Dial en Savoy studio snitte)The Wardell Gray Memorial, Volume 2 (live jam, Move) (Prestige, PRLP 7009, 1983; CD, OJC 051, 1992)The Chase and The Steeplechase, met Wardell Gray, Paul Quinichette (1952, Decca; Universal Distribution CD 9061, 2003)Daddy Plays the Horn (Bethlehem 1955)Dexter Blows Hot and Cool (Dootone 1955)The Resurgence of Dexter Gordon (Riverside Records, 1960)Doin' Allright (Blue Note Records, 1961)Dexter Calling... (Blue Note, 1961)Landslide (Blue Note, 1961–62 [1980])Go! (Blue Note 1962)A Swingin' Affair (Blue Note, 1962)Our Man in Paris (Blue Note, 1963, met Bud Powell, Pierre Michelot, Kenny Clarke)One Flight Up (Blue Note, 1964)Cheese Cake (SteepleChase Records, 1979 [1964])King Neptune (SteepleChase, 1979 [1964])I Want More (SteepleChase, 1980 [1964])Love for Sale (SteepleChase, 1982 [1964])It's You or No One (SteepleChase, 1983 [1964])Billie's Bounce (SteepleChase, 1983 [1964])Gettin' Around (Blue Note 1965)Clubhouse (Blue Note, 1979 [1965])Wee Dot (SteepleChase, 2003 [1965])Loose Walk (SteepleChase, 2004 [1965])Misty (SteepleChase, 2004 [1965])Heartaches (SteepleChase, 2004 [1965])Ladybird (SteepleChase, 2005 [1965])Stella by Starlight (SteepleChase, 2005 [1966])The Squirrel (Blue Note, 2001 [1967])Satin Doll (SteepleChase, 2012 [1967])Both Sides of Midnight (Black Lion, 1988 [1967])Body and Soul (Black Lion, 1988 [1967])Take the "A" Train (Black Lion, 1989 [1967])After Hours (SteepleChase, 1986, [1969])After Midnight (SteepleChase, 1986, [1969])Live at the Amsterdam Paradiso (Catfish, 1971 [1969])A Day in Copenhagen (MPS, 1969) – met Slide HamptonThe Tower of Power! (Prestige, 1969) – met James Moody More Power! (Prestige, 1969)L.T.D. Live At The Left Bank (Prestige, 2001 [1969])XXL Live At The Left Bank (Prestige, 2002 [1969])Some Other Spring (Sonet, 1970) – met Karin KrogDexter Gordon with Junior Mance at Montreux (Prestige, 1970, met Junior Mance)The Panther! (Prestige, 1970, met Tommy Flanagan en Alan Dawson. Prestige Records)The Chase! (Prestige, 1970, met Gene Ammons)The Jumpin' Blues (Prestige, 1970, met Wynton Kelly)Those Were The Days (Moon, 1995 [1967–71])Tangerine (Prestige, 1975 [1972])Ca'Purange (Prestige, 1972, met Thad Jones, Hank Jones, Stanley Clarke en Louis Hayes)Generation (Prestige, 1972, met Freddie Hubbard, Cedar Walton en andere)Afterhours/The Great Pescara Jam Sessions Vol 1&2 (Ports Song, 1973, met Eric Ineke)Blues à la Suisse (Prestige, 1973)Candlelight Lady (SteepleChase Records, 2014 [1974])The Apartment (SteepleChase Records, 1974)The Rainbow People (Steeplechase, 2002 [1974], met Benny Bailey)Round Midnight (SteepleChase, 1991 [1974], met Benny Bailey)Revelation (SteepleChase, 1995 [1974], met Benny Bailey)More Than You Know (SteepleChase, 1975) met die Orkes wat gedirigeer is deur Palle MikkelborgStable Mable (SteepleChase, 1975)Something Different (SteepleChase, 1975)Bouncin' with Dex (SteepleChase, 1975)Swiss Nights Vol. 1 (SteepleChase, 1976 [1975])Swiss Nights Vol. 2 (SteepleChase, 1978 [1975])Swiss Nights Vol. 3 (SteepleChase, 1979 [1975])Lullaby for a Monster (SteepleChase, 1981 [1976])True Blue (Xanadu Records, 1976, met Al Cohn)Silver Blue (Xanadu Records, 1976, met Al Cohn)Biting the Apple (SteepleChase, 1976)Homecoming: Live at the Village Vanguard (Columbia, 1976, met Woody Shaw, Ronnie Mathews, Stafford James, Louis Hayes)Sophisticated Giant (Columbia Records, 1977, met 'n 11-stuk big-band insluitende Woody Shaw, Slide Hampton, Bobby Hutcherson en Benny Bailey)Manhattan Symphonie (Columbia, 1978, met Rufus Reid – bas, Eddie Gladden – perkussie en George Cables – klavier)Live at Carnegie Hall (Columbia, 1998 [1978], 2 snitte met Johnny Griffin)North Sea Jazz Legendary Concerts (North Sea Jazz, 1979)Nights at the Keystone, Volumes 1-4 (1979, Blue Note;  CD uitreiking 1990)Gotham City (Columbia, 1981, met Woody Shaw, Cedar Walton, George Benson, Percy Heath, Art Blakey)American Classic (Elektra Records, 1982, met Grover Washington Jr. en Shirley Scott)The Other Side of Round Midnight (Blue Note Records, 1986)

As "sideman"
Met Rob Agerbeek
 All Souls (Dexterity, 1972, met Eric Ineke en andere)
Met Gene AmmonsThe Chase! (Prestige, 1970)Gene Ammons and Friends at Montreux (Prestige, 1973)
Met Louis ArmstrongDexter Gordon, Vol. 1 Young Dex 1941-1944 (Masters Of Jazz MJCD 112)
 Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra 1944-1945  (Blue Ace BA 3603)
 Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra  (AFRS One Night Stand 240) (V-Disc, 1944)
 Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra  (AFRS One Night Stand 253) (V-Disc, 1944)
 Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra  (AFRS One Night Stand 267) (V-Disc, 1944)
 Louis Armstrong New Orleans Masters, Vol. 2  (Swing House (E) SWH 44)
 Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra  (AFRS Spotlight Bands 382) (V-Disc, 1944)
 Louis Armstrong – Chronological Study  (MCA Decca 3063 72)
 Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra  (AFRS Spotlight Bands 444) (V-Disc, 1944)
 Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra  (AFRS Spotlight Bands 465) (V-Disc, 1944)
 Various Artists, Louis, Pops And Tram  (IAJRC 21) (V-Disc, 1944)
 Louis Armstrong Armed Forces Radio Service 1943/44  (Duke (It) D 1021)
Met Tony BennettBerlin (Columbia, 1987)
Met Ralph Burns
 Various Artists – OKeh Jazz  (Epic EG 37315)
Met Benny Carter
 The Fabulous Benny Carter (1946, Audio Lab AL 1505)
 Benny Carter And His Orchestra (AFRS Jubilee 246) (V-Disc, 1947)
 Various Artists – Jazz Off The Air, Vol. 3  (Spotlite (E) SPJ 147) (V-Disc 1947)
Met Nat King Cole
 Nat King Cole Meets The Master Saxes 1943 (Phoenix Jazz LP 5)
Met Tadd Dameron
 Tadd Dameron/Babs Gonzales/Dizzy Gillespie – Capitol Jazz Classics, Vol. 13: Strictly Bebop  (Capitol M 11059)
Met Billy Eckstine
 The Chronological Billy Eckstine and His Orchestra, 1944-1945 (CD, Classic Records [Frankryk], 1997)
 Billy Eckstine, The Legendary Big Band (SVY 17125)
Met Booker Ervin
 Setting the Pace (Prestige, 1965)
Met Lowell Fulson
 Lowell Fulson  (Swing Time 320)
Met Dizzy Gillespie
 Dexter Gordon, Vol. 2 Young Dex 1944-1946  (Masters Of Jazz MJCD 128)
 Dizzy Gillespie – Groovin' High  (Savoy MG 12020, 1992; SV 152, 2010)
Met Lionel HamptonDexter Gordon, Vol. 1 Young Dex 1941-1944 (Masters Of Jazz MJCD 112)
 Lionel Hampton, Vol. 1: 1941-1942  (Coral (G) COPS 7185)
 Decca Jazz Heritage Series DL-79244Met Herbie Hancock
 Takin' Off (Blue Note, 1962)
 Round Midnight (klankbaan) (1986), Columbia Records
Met Wynonie Harris
 Wynonie Harris – Love Is Like Rain / Your Money Don't Mean A Thing (Come Live With Me Baby)  (King 4217)
Met Fletcher Henderson
 Fletcher Henderson And His Orchestra (AFRS Jubilee 76), (V-Disc, 1944)
 Fletcher Henderson And His Orchestra (AFRS Jubilee 77), (V-Disc, 1944)
Met Helen Humes
 Various Artists – Black California  (Savoy SJL 2215)
 Helen Humes – Be-Baba-Leba 1942-52  (Whiskey, Women And... Gene Norman "Just Jazz" konsert, 2 Februarie 1952, KM 701)
 Helen Humes – New Million Dollar Secret  (Whiskey, Women And... Gene Norman "Just Jazz" konsert, 2 Februarie 1952, KM 707)
Met Philly Joe JonesPhilly Mignon (Galaxy, 1977)
Met Stan Levey
 Stan Levey – This Time The Drum's On Me  (Bethlehem BCP 37)
Met Jackie McLean
 The Meeting (SteepleChase, 1974) The Source (SteepleChase, 1974)
Met Gerry Mulligan
 Gerry Mulligan – Capitol Jazz Classics, Vol. 4: Walking Shoes (Capitol M 11029)
 Classic Capitol Jazz Sessions  (Mosaic MQ19-170)
Met Charlie Parker
 Charlie Parker – Every Bit Of It 1945  (Spotlite (E) SPJ 150D)
Met Leo Parker
 The Be Bop Boys  (Savoy SJL 2225)
 Leo Parker – Birth Of Bop, Vol. 1  (Savoy XP 8060)
Met Pony Poindexter
 Pony's Express (Epic, 1962)
 Stella By Starlight (mede-leier) (SteepleChase 1966)
Met Jimmy Rushing
 Jimmy Rushing/Don Redman/Russell Jacquet/Joe Thomas – Big Little Bands  (1946, Onyx ORI 220)
 Black California, Vol. 2: Anthology  (1946, Savoy SJL 2242)
Met Leslie Thompson
 Les Thompson – Gene Norman Presents Just Jazz  (RCA Victor LPM 3102)
Met Ben Webster
 Ben Webster Nonet  (1945, Jazz Archives JA 35)

Verwysings

Verdere leeswerk
Gordon, Maxine (2018) Sophisticated Giant: The Life and Legacy of Dexter Gordon'' (University of California Press)

Eksterne skakels

Sophisticated Giant: The Dexter Gordon Discography

Dexter Gordon Multimedia Directory
Dexter Gordon: 12 Essential Tracks deur Eric Novod (www.jazz.com)

 UNEARTHED GEM: Dexter Gordon Quartet. Artikel deur Scott Yanow. The New York City Jazz Record, April 2019 - Uitgawe 204, bladsy 15. Opgespoor op 4 April 2019.
Dexter Gordon Collection at the Library of Congress

Geboortes in 1923
Sterftes in 1990
Amerikaanse komponiste
Amerikaanse musici