Dexter Gordon Biography, Photos and Posters

Dexter Gordon

Biography

Born: February 27, 1923
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Instrument: Tenor Saxophone
Music Training: Studied with Lloyd Reese
Bands and Orchestras: Lionel Hampton's Band, Billy Esckstine's Orchestra
Signature Song:
Dexter Gordon biography: One of the very best tenor sax players of the bebop era, Gordon was the comeback kid of the Jazz era experiencing 3 separate incarnations. He had his own distinctive style of play and his work, often long-winded, was of a superior quality. His first breakthrough came working with Lionel Hampton 1940-43 and in '43 he worked on a recording session with Nat "King" Cole. After that he spent some time with Lee Young, the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, and Louis Armstrong's big band before moving to New York to join the Billy Eckstine Orchestra. In the early '50s he spent some time in jail for drug use. After a long period of inactivity and while he was beginning to regain his popularity he left New York and moved to Europe where he took up residence until 1976. Here his Steeplechase recordings rank as some of the best of his career. Surprisingly, his return to the states garnered much attention although failing health caused him to be inactive in the early 80s. Even though his playing was past its prime he was chosen to star in the movie 'Round Midnight in which he gave an Academy Award nomination performance.
Died: April 25, 1990

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