Dexter Gordon: He Says Going To Prison Saved His Life

The story of the amazing Dexter Gordon, his life, and his amazing journey to bebop stardom. Dexter Gordon is known for his albums, Blue Bossa, Lady Bird, Round Midnight, Our Man in Paris, Night in Tunisia and Go.
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[@schance1666]

I had dinner with Lionel Hampton one evening in the south of France, and he told me how Dex showed up to try out for the band with his clarinet wrapped up in a newspaper. Hamp and his wife went out that night and bought Dex a tenor sax. Long live Long Tall!

[@JohnTravena]

Dexter Gordon is probably one of the most loved jazz musicians today but I’ve often wondered why he isn’t mentioned more often as one of the true greats. His timbre is so raw and he can blow chorus after chorus. He might be my favorite jazz musician.

[@onetrackjazz]

I totally agree, one of the greatest

[@user-fg4fr2bz5y]

Was lucky enough to see him live several times. A master!!

[@kpoudavoff]

The AI thumbnail doesn’t look anything like Dexter, but otherwise, nice work. Some of the pics, I’ve never seen before. And about his homecoming at Village Vanguard. I know his wife, Maxine. She told me the director of VV wouldn’t book Dexter’s gig cause “that was a long time ago, nobody remembers him over here”. Maxine starting nagging him with calls a few times and he finally agreed to book the gig for Dex. Thanks to her, his late career happened the way it happened. Dex was the real deal. Hippest tenor ever.

[@onetrackjazz]

Thanks for the feed back, let me know what you think about Louie Armstrong's an Billie Holiday's video

[@christopherdaly1399]

I saw Dexter Gordon at the Famous Ballroom, aka The Famous, in Baltimore c. 1981-2. He came into the audience and played his sax for everyone personally. It was awesome 👌

[@bechet12]

He passed right here in Philly at Jefferson Hospital. What a loss!

[@williamcampbell3868]

A Swinging Affair, Doing Alright, Go!, Dexter calling, Clubhouse, Round midnight, The other side of Round midnight are essential lp's. There are others as well as guest appearances that are great. Thank you so very much Brother Dexter Gordon. Your beautiful music continues to bring joy and enrich my life and music listening immensely! Keep swinging in heaven my Big Brother, and we thank you for giving us glorious music!❤️😊👍👍👍👍

[@user-sz4ix9si4k]

The anecdote that always amuses me about Mr Gordon was when he told Miles Davis that Miles couldn’t hang out with him until Miles dressed better and then suggested the Brooks Brothers store. Miles took the advice and the Miles Davis visual was born. Dex is just SO cool . . . if you don’t believe me close your eyes and let that tenor sax take you on a magic carpet ride.

[@kennyblackbird5674]

Dexter did a lot of ballads. As a guitarist he is one of my favorite musicians. His melodic understated licks, well at least his stuff in the 50's and 60's, is a big inspiration to me.

[@normanlove3919]

Yes, his unique interpretation and style with Ballads places him as one of the top 10 or so ballad saxmen ever.You can usually feel him deeply playing those lovely slow classics he recorded.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

He was amazing. He and Coltrane are my 2 favorite Jazz Sax players. He was so smooth & melodic. I am a huge fan. Album: "One Flight Up" is my favorite by him, and a masterpiece. oNe LovE from NYC

[@bradleybarnett9545]

I saw & heard Dex as a 15 year old in Paris, 1980(?). Loved the way he'd hold up his tenor as tunes ended, as if it alone was making all that magic happen.

[@bradleybarnett9545]

PS My favourite Long Tall album- Dexter Blows Hot & Cool.

[@barneylessing4781]

Dexter’s ballad playing on that Dootone album had a profound influence on me as a teenager in the 50s. I can still hear Dexter playing “I Should Care” etc. As a kid, I had a chance to thank him when he played at the old Jazz gallery NYC. He just looked at me and he smiled.

[@raylidell3613]

Dex was, and still IS my all time favorite Tenor Sax player. I appreciate this video about his life and work

[@kennyblackbird5674]

2:10 Monk Montgomery playing on one of those new fangled fretted electric Fender basses back in the 50's!

[@thequietrevolution3404]

Fantastic video and much appreciated. I still own *Dexter Gordon Quartet "Manhattan Symphonie"* on vinyl. Melodic is exactly how I would describe his playing style. Attended a performance by *Dizzy Gillespie* at *Blues Alley* back in the day. And *Dexter Gordon* was in the audience "anonymously" enjoying the show. I say "anonymously" because if you like jazz, you will recognize just about every jazz artist that walks the earth. No way everyone in that club didn't recognize him.

[@ball-tu7ux]

I had the pleasure of listening to him live in London many times throughout the late 70s early 80s. I have a nice story of when I met him and Johnny Griffin at the Roundhouse, I've still got the photos. A great master musician and fun loving ture gentlemen. A nice tribute, thanks for the memories.

[@michaelcraig9449]

He played the part of Dale Turner, the great saxophonist in "Round Midnight"? I saw that movie several times, I did not know this!

[@lancegoerner1719]

My old friend, a trombone player was in prison with Mr Gordon, and Hampton Hawes, on Gordon's second incarseation. It was not for "Drugs" it was for Burglery!

[@Jazz313]

He planted the seeds of Jazz in Scandinavia ❤

[@wackywhoo-hoopizzaman9948]

thx for the vid

[@raepaul8158]

Always loved Dexter’s playing . Thanks !

[@onetrackjazz]

Thanks for listening

[@damianbiondo812]

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! I love this channel and am learning so much.

[@mirceavbumbesti2098]

You know, Lady Francis, there is not enough kindness in the world ❤

[@mr.anonymousii2654]

Dexter Gordon is the man! One of all- time jazz greats to ever do it. Ever heard of Krill Poudavoff? He was inspired by Dexter' music and playing style so much to the point where he actually sounds just like him. Btw, what's the song name in the background? I can tell it's Stan Getz but was Chick Corea playing the piano on this track? Anyways, it sounds beautiful. Thank you and what a gem of a video I watched.

[@MrGuto]

Yes Krill imitates Dexter pretty well. Nothing of interest about what he does otherwise. Plus he brushed more people the wrong way than I care to hear about him anymore. Not a great character in my book.

[@mpytthing200]

favorite sax player of all time

[@williamcampbell3868]

To @mpytthing : A very good and understandable choice my brother! Choosing a favorite would be extremely difficult for me. I love Dexter, Coltrane, Shorter, Grover, Branford, Hank Crawford, Stanley Turrentine, Najee, Ben Webster, Oliver Nelson, Sonny, J.Mclean, Lou Donaldson Hank Mobley, Donald Harrison and etc, to decide man! All these cats and others put out so much great music!

[@williamcampbell3868]

To @mpytthing200: Please excuse my typo. I forgot to put 200 the first time!😁👍👍

[@bigdawg6404]

My all time favorite tenor man !

[@SELAHPAUSE]

Love your your narration been a fan of jazz all my life…..subbed🙏🏾👆🏾🙏🏾

[@onetrackjazz]

thanks for subbing, appreciate it

[@mrd3016]

Love this channel. Do you cover any jazz cats who were not addicts? Just curious. I'm both. Cheers.

[@onetrackjazz]

Have you checked out, Duke Ellington and the one I uploaded today Art Tatum?

[@BrendaBoykin-qz5dj]

Thank you, Brother Donovan. My fave.⭐🌹⭐

[@onetrackjazz]

Thanks for listening

[@pederlong1784]

Good stuff thanks

[@onetrackjazz]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MikeHartgrove]

Awesome! Information!! Very cool!

[@dancefredericko]

Never let us forget them great musicians

[@kevinsplinter8595]

Cool Thanks For Sharing.

[@barrypaton9726]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@martinlund112]

Donovan, you are over the top with your oral delivery. It really doesn't need to happen this way.

[@onetrackjazz]

thanks for the feedback

[@af5889]

I think it's AI-generated, but still a nicely written story. The images don't really match the read either.

[@michaelthompson6452]

Still reign supreme.

[@abaachi13]

My favorite sax player... Thank you for this.

[@douglasdietz7503]

As usual, nothing but the best content. May I suggest Joe Pass? Cheers

[@onetrackjazz]

You may, great suggestion, stay tuned, my friend

[@daevkeli1013]

Gordon at one stage calls himself ‘European soul tenor’ in a video. It was a joke but I’d love to find that video again.

[@acquanellaogbemudia9930]

Very informative Thanks ❤

[@onetrackjazz]

My pleasure 😊

[@DaddySantaClaus]

thank you for this, i love the movie and jazz too, music is life

[@fluteluc1]

thanks!

[@onetrackjazz]

You bet!

[@abyjazz6693]

Very informative documentary 👍

[@mygreatbigfoot1679]

Thanks for the education.

[@onetrackjazz]

Our pleasure!

[@orchidlilly7518]

Donavon, thanks so much*

[@zephaniarutlokwana2891]

Drug addiction !! Was it the driving force behind this marvelous artistic creation or the theory behind their art? l believe drugs were not the driving force because other great artists like Clifford Brown were sober minded and lived a clean short life. My father discouraged me in being involved in jazz because of fear that l will be an alcoholic or a junky. l had to please him and study law which l felf was never my line today after a degree. l am now comfortable in leaning jazz though late in my life. You dont have to be a junky to be a great jazz musician. Yes talent plays its great role and hard work and everlasting love of JAZZ .

[@bjarkifreyrbjarnason9419]

Why is there a photo of a man that doesn't look anything like Dexter in the thumbnail? AI generated? Is that a good representation of him?

[@onetrackjazz]

The photo is an A.I. copy of a very young Dexter Gordon. It is a good representation

[@bjarkifreyrbjarnason9419]

@@onetrackjazz Ok, buddy. If you say so it must be... Good luck with your lazy ass channel.

[@MarioCalzadaMusic]

Why u didn’t use dexters music for the video man?

[@onetrackjazz]

You can't legally use any of his music unless you go through his licensing Company and pay licensing fees, its all copyrighted.

[@luiszuluaga6575]

Dex’s playing was so hot and at the same time he was so cool. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@kwootamuckbear9294]

☮️🎶🎶🎵🎷

[@charliecharlotte360]

Algorithm comment just for you

[@badboikyoto3585]

This is kinda messy, was it made by AI?

[@onetrackjazz]

just the thumbnail, but thanks for the feed back