Dexter Gordon - Milestones of a Jazz Legend [2019] (10 x CDs)

SUNDAY JAZZ

DEXTER GORDON

Dexter Gordon - Milestones of a Jazz Legend [2019] (10 x CDs)

Dexter Gordon (February 27, 1923 - April 25, 1990) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He was among the most influential early bebop musicians. Gordon's height was 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm), so he was also known as "Long Tall Dexter" and "Sophisticated Giant". His studio and performance career spanned more than 40 years.

Gordon's sound was commonly characterized as being "large" and spacious and he had a tendency to play behind the beat. He inserted musical quotes into his solos, with sources as diverse as "Happy Birthday" and well-known melodies from the operas of Wagner. Quoting from various musical sources is not unusual in jazz improvisation, but Gordon did it frequently enough to make it a hallmark of his style. One of his major influences was Lester Young. Gordon, in turn, was an early influence on John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. Rollins and Coltrane then influenced Gordon's playing as he explored hard bop and modal playing during the 1960s.

Gordon had a genial and humorous stage presence. He was an advocate of playing to communicate with the audience, which was his musical approach as well. One of his idiosyncratic rituals was to recite lyrics from each ballad before playing it.

Gordon was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the Bertrand Tavernier film Round Midnight (Warner Bros, 1986), and he won a Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist, for the soundtrack album The Other Side of Round Midnight (Blue Note Records, 1986). He also had a cameo role in the 1990 film Awakenings. In 2018, Gordon's album Go (Blue Note, 1962) was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" (Wikipedia)

The box set, “Dexter Gordon - Milestones of a Jazz Legend,” released by the label “Documents” as part of their “Milestones of a Legend” series is an all-encompassing anthology that pays tribute to Dexter Gordon, a trailblazer in the world of jazz and a master of the tenor saxophone. This collection, spread across ten CDs, provides an immersive exploration of Gordon’s musical journey, encapsulating his initial foray into bebop, his noteworthy recordings, and his later works that cemented his place in jazz history.

Dexter Gordon was a cornerstone of the bebop era in the 1940s, sharing the stage with luminaries such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell. His early work with the orchestras of Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, and Fletcher Henderson marked his shift from swing to bebop, underscoring his versatility and pioneering spirit.

This anthology features iconic tracks like “Dexter’s Riff,” “Long, Tall, Dexter,” and “Blow Mr. Dexter,” which demonstrate his command over the tenor saxophone and his knack for blending technical skill with emotional depth. His duets with Wardell Gray, especially on tracks like “The Chase,” are a testament to their synergistic improvisation and dynamic exchange.

Gordon’s collaborations with other jazz giants are well represented in this collection. From his sessions with Bud Powell and Max Roach to his later recordings with Freddie Hubbard and Herbie Hancock, the anthology underscores the diversity of his musical alliances. These collaborations not only enhanced his sound but also shaped the wider jazz milieu.

Dexter Gordon’s impact on future generations of saxophonists is indisputable. His distinctive style, marked by a resonant tone, lyrical phrasing, and a profound sense of swing, established a benchmark for jazz saxophone performance. The anthology stands as a tribute to his lasting legacy, inviting listeners to experience the breadth of his artistic prowess.

“Dexter Gordon - Milestones of a Jazz Legend” box set is a must-have for jazz lovers, offering a rich sonic voyage through the career of a bona fide jazz legend. (B)

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Track lists

CD01

01 Dexter Gordon - Dexter's Riff 2:47

02 Dexter Gordon - Settin' The Pace - Part 1 & Part 2 5:55

03 Dexter Gordon - So Easy 3:43

04 Dexter Gordon - Long, Tall, Dexter 3:03

05 Dexter Gordon - Dexter Rides Again 3:18

06 Dexter Gordon - I Can't Escape From You 3:18

07 Dexter Gordon - Dexter Digs In 2:59

08 Dexter Gordon - Dexter's Minor Mad 2:45

09 Dexter Gordon - Blow Mr. Dexter 3:00

10 Dexter Gordon - Dexter's Deck 2:54

11 Dexter Gordon - Dexter's Cuttin Out 3:12

12 Dexter Gordon - Blues Bikini 3:40

13 Dexter Gordon - Lullaby In Rhythm 3:05

14 Dexter Gordon - Chromatic Aberration 3:06

15 Dexter Gordon - Mischievous Lady 2:48

16 Dexter Gordon - Ghost Of A Chance 3:05

17 Dexter Gordon - Sweet And Lovely 2:52

18 Dexter Gordon - Horning In 7:34

CD02

01 Dexter Gordon - Daddy Plays The Horn 9:11

02 Dexter Gordon - Confirmation 7:49

03 Dexter Gordon - Darn That Dream 4:18

04 Dexter Gordon - Number Four 4:51

05 Dexter Gordon - Autumn In New York 6:30

06 Dexter Gordon - You Can Depend On Me 9:09

07 Dexter Gordon - The Chase 11:36

08 Dexter Gordon - The Steeplechase 13:52

CD03

01 Dexter Gordon - Silver Plated 4:06

02 Dexter Gordon - Cry Me A River 3:47

03 Dexter Gordon - Rhythm Mad 4:30

04 Dexter Gordon - Don't Worry About Me 3:50

05 Dexter Gordon - I Hear Music 3:40

06 Dexter Gordon - Bonna Rue 6:57

07 Dexter Gordon - I Should Care 2:46

08 Dexter Gordon - Blowin' For Dootsie 5:34

09 Dexter Gordon - Tenderly 3:39

10 Dexter Gordon - Disorder At The Border 19:36

11 Dexter Gordon - Rocks 'n' Shoals 18:21

CD04

01 Dexter Gordon - Diggin' For Diz 8:36

02 Dexter Gordon - Ruby My Dear 3:18

03 Dexter Gordon - Tune Up 5:58

04 Dexter Gordon - La Chaloupee (From Tales Of Hoffman) 5:22

05 Dexter Gordon - Day In, Day Out 6:22

06 Dexter Gordon - Stanley The Steamer 6:46

07 Dexter Gordon - This Time The Drum's On Me 6:24

CD05

01 Dexter Gordon - Home Run 5:07

02 Dexter Gordon - Dolo 6:16

03 Dexter Gordon - Lovely Lisa 7:23

04 Dexter Gordon - Affair In Havana 7:41

05 Dexter Gordon - Jodi 6:39

06 Dexter Gordon - Field Day 6:52

07 Dexter Gordon - Blow-Blow-Blow 13:44

08 Dexter Gordon - Cherry-Koke 21:30

CD06

01 Dexter Gordon - I Was Doing All Right 9:23

02 Dexter Gordon - You've Changed 7:30

03 Dexter Gordon - For Regulars Only 5:48

04 Dexter Gordon - Society Red 12:25

05 Dexter Gordon - It's You Or No One 6:17

06 Dexter Gordon - Soul Sister 7:45

07 Dexter Gordon - Modal Mood 5:23

08 Dexter Gordon - I Want More 5:20

09 Dexter Gordon - The End Of A Love Affair 6:53

10 Dexter Gordon - Clear The Dex 4:54

11 Dexter Gordon - Ernie's Tune 4:16

12 Dexter Gordon - Smile 3:24

CD07

01 Dexter Gordon - Cheese Cake 6:35

02 Dexter Gordon - I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry 5:23

03 Dexter Gordon - Second Balcony Jump 7:07

04 Dexter Gordon - Love For Sale 7:40

05 Dexter Gordon - Where Are You 5:21

06 Dexter Gordon - Three O'clock In The Morning 5:41

07 Dexter Gordon - Soy Califa 6:27

08 Dexter Gordon - Don't Explain 6:04

09 Dexter Gordon - You Stepped Out Of A Dream 6:33

10 Dexter Gordon - The Backbone 6:48

11 Dexter Gordon - Until The Real Thing Comes Along 6:49

12 Dexter Gordon - Mcsplivens 5:46

CD08

01 Dexter Gordon - Catin Latin 4:15

02 Dexter Gordon - Salt Peanuts 3:39

03 Dexter Gordon - Skylark 3:44

04 Dexter Gordon - Struttin' With Some Barbecue 5:33

05 Dexter Gordon - Blue 5:31

06 Dexter Gordon - 'b' Frequency 1:41

07 Dexter Gordon - Mickey Mouse March 3:07

08 Dexter Gordon - Basin Street Blues 3:45

09 Dexter Gordon - Pony's Express 2:21

10 Dexter Gordon - Lanyop 9:39

11 Dexter Gordon - Artistry In Rhythm 2:14

CD09

01 Dexter Gordon - Watermelon Man 7:13

02 Dexter Gordon - Three Bags Full 5:30

03 Dexter Gordon - Empty Pockets 6:12

04 Dexter Gordon - The Maze 6:49

05 Dexter Gordon - Driftin' 7:00

06 Dexter Gordon - Alone And I 6:28

CD10

01 Dexter Gordon - I've Found A New Baby 4:41

02 Dexter Gordon - Rosetta 5:08

03 Dexter Gordon - Sweet Lorraine 4:54

04 Dexter Gordon - Blowed And Gone 4:47

05 Dexter Gordon - Blowing The Blues Away 3:11

06 Dexter Gordon - Groovin' High 2:39

07 Dexter Gordon - Blue 'n' Boogie 3:04

08 Dexter Gordon - Lonesome Lover Blues 2:49

09 Dexter Gordon - Last Night 3:06

10 Dexter Gordon - Honeysuckle Rose 8:03

11 Dexter Gordon - Takin' Off 3:09

12 Dexter Gordon - If I Had You 3:04

13 Dexter Gordon - Street Beat 2:37

14 Dexter Gordon - Wee Dot 2:44

15 Dexter Gordon - Lion Roars 3:01

16 Dexter Gordon - Dexter's Mood 2:54

17 Dexter Gordon - Dextrose 2:51

18 Dexter Gordon - Index 3:06

19 Dexter Gordon - Dextivity 3:02

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