Gordon, Dexter, 1923-1990

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1923-02-27
Death 1990-04-25
Americans

Biographical notes:

Dexter Gordon (b. Feb. 27, 1923, in Los Angeles; d. Apr. 25, 1990, in Philadelphia) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and actor.

From the description of Dexter Gordon collection, circa 1940-1996 (bulk 1960-1988). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71056532

Biographical Note

1923, Feb. 27 Born in Watts, Los Angeles, Calif. 1936 Studied music with Lloyd Reese Played in rehearsal band with Charles Mingus and Buddy Collette 1940 Quit high school and joined Lionel Hampton’s touring band 1942 Made recordings with Lionel Hampton’s band 1944 Moved to New York City Appeared with Billy Eckstine’s big band 1945 1946 Recorded album Long Tall Dexter 1947 Recorded album The Chase with Wardell Gray circa 1950 circa 1959 Struggled with drug addiction 1955 Featured in the film Unchained Recorded album Dexter Blows Hot and Cool 1960 Actor, musician, composer, for Jack Gelber’s play, The Connection, Los Angeles, Calif. Recorded album The Resurgence of Dexter Gordon 1961 Began series of recordings for Blue Note records, including albums Doin' Allright and Dexter Calling 1962 Recorded album Go! Toured Europe Moved to Copenhagen 1963 Recorded Our Man in Paris 1967 Recorded Body and Soul 1968 Featured in the film Jag älskar, du älskar 1970 Appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival 1971 Recorded Just Jazz segment for PBS television 1972 Appeared at the Tangier Jazz Festival 1974 Recorded album The Apartment 1975 Toured Japan 1976 Moved to New York Recorded album Homecoming 1978 Honored at the White House Jazz Festival 1979 Published Jazz Saxophone Solos. Hollywood, Calif.: Almo Publications (transcriptions from original recordings) 1980 Named “Best Tenor Saxophonist” and “Jazz Musician of the Year” by Down Beat magazine Recorded album Gotham City 1986 Starred in the film 'Round Midnight 1990, Apr. 25 Died, Philadelphia, Penn.

From the guide to the Dexter Gordon Collection, circa 1940-1996, (bulk 1960-1988), (Music Division Library of Congress)

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Subjects:

  • Jazz
  • Jazz
  • Jazz musicians
  • Jazz musicians
  • Jazz musicians
  • Jazz musicians
  • Music
  • Music
  • Music
  • Saxophonists
  • Saxophonists
  • Jazz
  • Jazz musicians
  • Jazz musicians
  • Jazz musicians
  • Music
  • Music
  • Saxophonists

Occupations:

not available for this record

Places:

  • United States (as recorded)

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