Dexter Gordon

Dexter Keith Gordon was born on February 27, 1923, in Los Angeles to a prominent African American family. His father, Dr. Frank Gordon, was among the first African American physicians in Los Angeles and treated Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. His mother, Gwendolyn Baker, was the daughter of Captain Edward Lee Baker Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient in the Spanish-American War. Gordon began clarinet at age 13, switched to alto saxophone at 15, then tenor saxophone at 17 under Lloyd Reese and Sam Browne at Jefferson High School. At 6 feet 6 inches tall, he earned the nickname “Sophisticated Giant.” In his final high school year, alto saxophonist Marshall Royal invited him to join Lionel Hampton’s orchestra in January 1941.

Gordon performed with Hampton’s band alongside Illinois Jacquet and played in Chicago radio broadcasts. By 1943 in New York, he sat in at Minton’s Playhouse with Ben Webster and Lester Young, establishing his presence in bebop circles. His earliest recordings came that year with Nat King Cole. In 1944, Gordon joined Billy Eckstine’s orchestra, which featured Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, and Gene Ammons. Beginning late 1945, he recorded for Savoy Records with tracks like “Long Tall Dexter” and “Dexter Rides Again.” His style featured a large tone played behind the beat, distinguished by quotations from “Happy Birthday” to Wagner that became his signature. From 1947 to 1952, Gordon recorded tenor saxophone battles with Wardell Gray for Dial Records, including “The Chase,” which became Dial’s biggest seller and brought him national recognition.

Heroin addiction and incarceration interrupted Gordon’s career from the mid-1950s through 1955. He returned in 1960 after parole, performing in Jack Gelber’s play The Connection in Los Angeles while replacing Jackie McLean. This experience restored his confidence and led producer Alfred Lion of Blue Note Records to sign him in November 1960. Between 1961 and 1965, Gordon recorded hard bop masterpieces for Blue Note: Doin’ Allright, Go!, and Our Man in Paris. Go! featured Kenny Drew on piano, Butch Warren on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. In 1962, Gordon accepted a gig at Ronnie Scott’s Club in London, beginning a 14-year European exile.

Living primarily in Copenhagen, Gordon found the continent offered less racism and greater respect for jazz musicians. He performed at Jazzhus Montmartre and recorded for European and Prestige labels, including the 1972 album Tangerine with Thad Jones and Freddie Hubbard. Gordon returned to the United States in 1976 at the Village Vanguard, triggering overwhelming acclaim. He won DownBeat Musician of the Year in 1978 and 1980 and received the NEA Jazz Master award in 1986. That year, Gordon starred in the film ‘Round Midnight, directed by Bertrand Tavernier, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Leading Actor. He performed with his quartets until illness halted his career, with his final major concert at the New York Philharmonic in 1987. Gordon died on April 25, 1990, in Philadelphia from cancer and kidney failure at age 67. His influence on jazz as bebop’s first tenor saxophonist translator and as a figure who revived interest in acoustic jazz after the fusion era remains profound.