Dexter Gordon Lives - Jazz Video Guy Live - 8.28.20
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- Опубліковано 27 сер 2020
- Dexter Gordon is widely regarded as the first musician to translate the language of mid-20th century modern jazz - a.k.a. "bebop" - to the tenor saxophone.
Dexter Keith Gordon was born on February 27, 1923 in Los Angeles, California. His father, Dr. Frank Gordon, was one of the first African American doctors in Los Angeles who arrived in 1918 after graduating from Howard Medical School in Washington, D.C. Among his patients were Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. Dexter’s mother, Gwendolyn Baker, was the daughter of Captain Edward Baker, one of the five African American Medal of Honor recipients in the Spanish-American War.
Dexter began his study of music with the clarinet at age 13, then switched to the alto saxophone at 15, and finally to the tenor saxophone at 17. He studied music with Lloyd Reese and at Jefferson High School with Sam Browne. In his last year of high school, he received a call from alto saxophonist Marshall Royal asking him to join the Lionel Hampton Band. He left Los Angeles with the band, traveling down south and learning to play from fellow band members Illinois Jacquet and Joe Newman. In January 1941, the band played at the Grand Terrace in Chicago for six months and the radio broadcasts made there were Dexter’s first recordings.
It was in 1943, while in New York City with the Hampton band, that Dexter sat in at Minton’s Playhouse with Ben Webster and Lester Young. This was to be one of the most important moments in his long musical career as, as he put it, “people started to take notice.”
Back in Los Angeles in 1943, Dexter played mainly with Lee Young (Lester Young’s brother) and with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. In 1944, he worked with Louis Armstrong‘s orchestra which was one of the highlights of his careers. Being in the company of the great trumpet master was inspiring and gave him insight into the world of music that he never forgot. It was during this period that Gordon made his first lengthy solo recordings as the leader of a quintet session with Nat “King” Cole as a sideman.
In 1944, Dexter joined the Billy Eckstine band, the source of many of the Bebop innovators of the time and many of the most prominent bandleaders in the future. He was surrounded nightly by Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, Sonny Stitt, Gene Ammons, and other architects of the new music.
Dexter began to record for Savoy Records in 1945 with tunes such as Blow Mr. Dexter, Dexter’s Deck, Dexter’s Cuttin’ Out, Long Tall Dexter (none of which were named by the composer). These early recordings are examples of the development of his sound and his style which influenced many of the younger tenor players of that day, including Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane.
In 1947, Dexter recorded his historic sides for Dial Records, including “The Chase” with tenor saxophonist Wardell Gray. The two tenor “duels” became very popular at this time and Dexter commented that despite the differences in style, it was sometimes hard for him to tell where one left off and the other began. This recording was to become the biggest seller for Dial and further established Dexter as a leader and a recording artist.
In the late 40s, Dexter appeared on the famed 52nd Street in New York City with Charlie Parker, Fats Navarro, Miles Davis, Max Roach, and many of the bebop innovators of the day. The classic photo of Dexter at the Royal Roost in 1948 has become the iconic photo of the bebop musician and has been reprinted on album covers, t-shirts, posters, and print ads.
In 1960, Dexter was approached by Alfred Lion to sign with Blue Note Records. For five years, he made on session after another, and they are all considered classics.
A gig in 1962 at Ronnie Scott’s Club in London was a new experience for Dexter and he began to travel and work in Europe. Eventually, he settled in Copenhagen where he lived until his return to the U.S. in 1976. During that period in Europe, he traveled extensively, worked for long periods at the historic Jazzhus Montmartre and recorded for European labels as well as Prestige Records.
In 1976, Dexter enjoyed a hero’s welcome in the U.S. when he made his return engagement at Storyville in New York City with Woody Shaw, Louis Hayes, Ronnie Mathews, and Stafford James. He subsequently played the Village Vanguard, signed with Columbia Records, and was officially back in town. He organized his first working band during this period with George Cables, Rufus Reid, and Eddie Gladden. He considered this band to be his best band and he toured extensively with them and recordedwith the group.
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I never tire of listening to his sax voice!!!!
me, too
What a player! You cannot dismiss this man’s legacy. He is a true king of kings. His knowledge of music is so vast . His quotes are from every genre and his lines are classic and effortless. I got to see Dexter in the his return to the states phase several times and man, l knew I was in the presence of greatness.listening to Dexter is like standing on the Great Wall of China and looking out in all directions. You understand so many things in a breath’s moment.
If you want to learn the language of the tenor saxophone spend time at the mountain of Dexter .
Such distinctive sound and phrasing. You hear two notes and know its Dexter. Never sounds rushed. He is one of my all-time favorites. Thanks for this!
Tony Tothe So true! It only takes two notes to know it’s Dexter💜💜
I know it is quite off topic but does anyone know a good website to watch new tv shows online?
@Miller Konnor lately I have been using Flixzone. Just google for it =)
@Walker Leonel Yea, have been watching on Flixzone for since march myself :D
@Walker Leonel thanks, signed up and it seems like a nice service :) I really appreciate it!
Bret Primack is the most important jazz videographer I know of. He presents the music with a sense of grace and clarity that is unsurpassed. Thank you, Bret, for all you do!
thank you Bob
Mid 70s Dexter is the best Dexter. Dexter is really immortal.
Thank you Bret! This makes my day. I love Dex, my favorite tenor player.
George Cables made that upright piano sound like a million bucks!!
He even taught it smoking!
Penta Penta pentatonic too much penta for me it begins to be mechanical and kinda predictable like a blunt object not a searchlight peering into the changes creating melodic possibility I mean I say this after 40 yrs of hard listening brother. Hey I'd a dug cables solo like crazy in my youth but after so many years of trying to get to the truth of the matter for myself I guess. I guess my sensibility got beyond kenetic energy somehow at least a bit. But I gotta say this was the 70s and everyone was asymalting McCoy and 68 Chick. Also Cables is a powerhouse always ready and can just about do anything he wants but I stand by my impression especially in light Dex's melodicism.
DITTO on G.C. comment
It's not George Gables playing this session . The rythm section is french : on piano "George Arvanitas" , on drums "Daniel humair" and on C bass "Albi Cullaz" , recorded at studio de radio france in Paris (France°
@@pierreschirrer9241 'Thank you Mr. Pierre!
Makes thé world a better place thanks
Yes, couldn't agree more.
Thanks for the summary of my favorite jazz musician. Dexter's music will accompany me til the day I die.
I've recently bought the Dexter Gordon book and it's a great read.
i love when he mentions thelonious and starts smiling.
More from the archives!! 👍👍👍
I have known Brett Primack, the Jazz Video Guy, for over three decades. He was my next-door neighbor for 10 of those years. A jazz journalist and filmmaker, he has been creating and curating footage of jazz greats like Dexter for as long as I have known him. His insightful commentary, encyclopedic knowledge, and cutting interviews make the Jazz Video Guy a resource and treasure for music fans worldwide. I am posting to support the fantastic and valuable service he provides. Please support the Jazz Video guy by liking this video and subscribing to his channel.
Thank you so much, Jeff! Sido says hello.
A few notes in, and it's like tasting your favorite coffee . . . so familiar so exciting, so comforting. Not a great recording (acoustically), but the brilliance of these musicians shines through. Cables lays down a harmonic foundation that serves Dex's voice so well.
Thank you sir for this amazing find!
Thank you Jazz Video Guy
An outstanding, educational and thorougly enjoyable presentation of the great master's work. Dexter Lives.
Thank you kindly!
Thank you very much Bet, Dexter changed my life. Today my day is happier. Obrigado
I'm glad!
I came here for the great Dex, but it was Hampton Hawes who got me today, the truth never swung harder.
Thanks for posting!
No worries!
Excellent!
Few sounds and phrasings evoke so many memories like Dexter Gordon's. A few bars, that's all he needs to make present and past meet. It's like nothing has changed, and though it obviously _has,_ we forget it while the music is playing, long stretches of time vanish, because: Dex really *does* live, at least as long as appreciative audiences let the sunshine in.
Well state my friend.
As an 82-year-old jazz addict, I was very touched by your comment on Dexter Gordon’s music. You articulate what it is about jazz -the masters, Dexter, Stitt, Ammons--that has touched me my entire life -it freezes a moment in time, and time stops and I am young again .God bless you.
@@barneylessing4781 An 82 year old jazz addict. I'm almost there, just 71, hope I make to 80!
Incredible video, thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is VERY cool to see! Mr. Gordon in a small intimate setting. Whomever filmed this, thank u and whomever posted this thank u too! I’m a fan of the sax, but most importantly, I’m a big fan of Mr. Gordon. A legend of jazz.
The legend endures.
Long and tall Dexter. That sound man. Rip.
'NICE write-up on Dex! Why was he often my favorite? Possibly intertwines with personal old nyc memories, his swing and variables of which I can't even understand. Also, Dexter's choice of players, which is a talent as well.
You just saved my day.
Call me, The Jazz Savior
hell yea. Dexter had CHOPS! Not in terms of velocity, though he could really shred when he wanted to, but in terms of vocabulary and command. The true CHOPS! This is a killer video thanks Jazz Video Guy! We are blessed.
Dexter was a very special musician, and person
Dex such a GREAT ballad player geez so back and smart perceptive man able to really ballad without any departure from the rhythmic context.
OMG your channel is the SH@@@@@t man . Love it . Hi from Belgium
Hey, thanks!
Love your videos. Your commitment to the perpetuation of American Classical Music is commendable.
Dizzy Gillespie's Cousin
Ernest Gregg
Thanks, Ernest. Appreciate your stopping by. Dizzy was an early inspiration. That's for sure.
La nota justa con el sonido justo en el momento justo.....para pocos !!
Kurt Lightsey such a pleasure as well always.
UFF.... cuando tocar simple es mas que suficiente...!!
🌹
i have the cd boxed set of dexter live at the keystone korner on the mosaic label which is fanrastic.i also have dex in a big band setting on the steeplechase label,another great showing by dexter.
you must have a great collection.
can you recommend me some recordings that have Dex in a big band setting please? pretty interested in that
❤❤❤
BINGO!
Man that band The Day's of Wine and Roses! Geez every solo WTF
dex took bop down to his personal language --- what a genious and here in Norway! (the gig in oslo)And a baseplayer that played exactly the notes that built the foundation of Dexters music- not one of those that tried to impress by playing fast up and down olav bøe norway
Uncle played and recorded with Dex !!! Yeahhh
Larry is your uncle?
Jazz Video Guy Yes sir !! My Surrogate father
Jazz Video Guy I’m also a musician in New Jersey
The Jazz Video Guy comes through again! These JVG videos offer extensive online music education opportunities.
Why does Dex sound differently when he’s talking ? I mean there’s something beautiful in his voice (it goes straight to the horn )
Yes Long Tall
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Maxine is a treasure and deals the ugly truth of the abysmal business of jazz
'Quotes "Dancing In The Dark" @ 4:23? He's SOMETHING ELSE
The great quote master, Mr. Gordon.
@@JazzVideoGuy 'NEEDED TO SEE BACK FROM GOOD PEOPLE JUST NOW! THANKS!!!. ALSO, PRES TRUMPET SOMETIMES CONFUSES ME IN THE NON-SPIRIT/EARTHLY REALM. THE NY 'BOYS IN BLUE' SEEM TO BE CAPTIVATED BY HIS VOCIFEROUS SPIRIT. YET, I'VE NOT KNOWN A PRES THAT EVER HELPED ME PERSONALLY. YET THE GOOD PASTOR'S HAVE SIGNALED TO "PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS". GUT SAYS THEY WILL EVENTUALLY ADD HIM TO RUSHMORE! SORRY AND NO MO POLITCL COMMENTS FROM ME....PROMISE.
was sitting there Ben Webster when Dex plays Polka at 18:35?
The Apartment
Charlie Parker 100 video?
John
#RedHot 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
true dat
Hi Bret - Oscar Peterson's father was named "Daniel", so Oscar wasn't a "Jnr."! Sorry to be pedantic! btw - EDDIE GLADDEN SENDS ME man! SOOOOOOO GREAT! Also I really, really dig that French piano player Georges Arvanitas, so soulful and swinging: He made several trio albums in NY including a real good one with Doug Watkins and Louis Hayes!!!
Oh Dexter. He must be Zeus and lives Olympus Mountain
well said