Dexter Gordon -Lady Bird (Belgium, 1964) [1/2]

[@whitneyallen2806]

I love the simplicity of his phrasing...he doesn't come across as playing just to hear himself play; he's telling a story and I personally didn't get bored listening to him.

[@rickgraham786]

Whitney Allen Exactly!

[@sickowhale6861]

Exactly

[@SP35640SNAKE]

Yeah he just keeps it funky

[@clintjones9848]

His phrasing is still pretty friggin advanced while being very melodic.

[@claragary]

Simplicity is one thing, but telling a story with just the right notes is pure art.

[@shealinbanta4169]

My saxophone teacher showed me this video and I am learning how to play this song

[@filipepinto8812]

Parabéns

[@shealinbanta4169]

@@filipepinto8812 English please

[@filipepinto8812]

@@shealinbanta4169 português por favor

[@filipepinto8812]

@@shealinbanta4169 kkkk

[@obergssin]

Dexter at the top of his form .. Total command of the instrument and the changes .. A rythmic and harmonic and melodic genius ... The kind of jazz player you could listen to all night and never get tired of ..

[@Lightningslick]

Yes he was at the top of his game. These were The Blue Note years. Those were his best recordings - EVER ! Plus, after a disasterous 1950s, Dex was getting his life back in order.

[@tkorn3994]

I’m 13 and I approve this message. Totally 💯 percent incredible

[@ethanlander4252]

@@Lightningslick i find this comment interesting! I dont know if I’m in the minority here, but I freakin love his late 70s stuff!! I think his tone in the Swiss nights recordings is just so beautiful.

[@OscarCherici]

Jesus god christ that tone and phrasing

[@randolphanderson4670]

Incredible Work by Dexter Gordon!!!!

[@knight2163]

Absolutely magnificent!!!

[@johnthijm5113]

This man has a straight forward sound on his sax. What you hear is what you get. Definitely one of my favorite tenor saxophonist

[@BullgoesforGold355]

Dexter will always be a diety in the world of Jazz!!

[@joshuacruz3119]

For real!

[@tuxguys]

I can remember lying flat on my back in my college dorm room, around 1974, and reading an ad in ROLLING STONE for a new AMERICAN LP by Gordon (and remember this was over ten years before his Oscar-nominated performance in " 'Round Midnight"), which had, as it's blurb: "Between Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, there was Dexter Gordon: There still IS Dexter Gordon." This performance is a beautiful illustration of the truth of that blurb.

[@steverangihuna4965]

I like that.

[@RussellIser108]

“Joy to the World!” (1:17) A masterful performance! Got to love Dext!

[@arseneherrenschmidt-picard8565]

I was searching the name... I'm so happy someone else heard it! 😀

[@dylanapivor3743]

We're blessed that this remarkable performance was captured for posterity. One of the truly great examples of this supremely gifted individual in a perfect flow state, live, one take. Stunning!

[@avantcoast1556]

Man, who are the 64 knuckleheads who gave this thumbs down!? Dex is SUCH a BEAST!

[@jameslaugtug8937]

Maybe they Click on Jazz and expect it all to sound like Kenny G? Pity them. And enjoy this!

[@skippruitt2391]

I was wondering the same thing smh

[@sablobsimus]

somebody fell asleep with their ipad and happened to land on the thumbs down. Disliking this is inconceivable.

[@corywilmoth4873]

Fuck those haters! 🙄

[@robertoc2485]

😂😂

[@DerekSamuelReese]

Beautiful song, beautifully played and all with Neumann U67 microphones !!! One mic on each instrument and it sounds glorious

[@johnbrown1851]

Wow ! I have been digging Jazz for a few decades now and I just heard one of the best solos in Jazz history. The beauty and surprises in his phrasing and the flow of his rhythms with his warm , impeccable tone are a gift to humanity. I had to hit rewind for this.

[@YaoEspirito]

Was just listening to Lucky Thompson on 'I Cover the Waterfront'. Make sure you listen. Some more world-class tenor.

[@johnbrown1851]

Couldn't agree more...... If I could only listen to one jazz solo this would be it!!!

[@pepsidude4567]

I know it's sad but I watch this video about twice a month because I can't get enough of Dexter's amazing solo! Conn is life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Bbmin0rBmaj0r]

Conn is love, conn is life LOL

[@boomerang905]

That is so NOT sick.

[@OrcaTrumpet]

I play a 1969 CONN Connstellation 38B trumpet... Conn IS life!

[@DanielR1-MIDI]

Only twice a month?

[@armthealiens]

The lost Conn ... so sad.

[@jzzft11]

A lot of otherwise great musicians have problems with constructing solos that stretch out over multiple choruses without falling into some stretches of auto pilot for a few bars somewhere. Not Dexter! Not ever. I have never heard him lapse into noodling or cliches for even a minute no matter what the tune or how long he plays.He puts weight on every note and his solos are some of the consistently best constructed ones in the canon. They go on and on and build to multiple climaxes and tension - releases so that their very length becomes thrilling - he NEVER sounds like hes playing too long as some others sonetimes do. One of the great storytellers

[@jean-lucbersou758]

YOU GIVEan excellent comment and this observation suits each great performer in the jazz field of bop hard bop era whatever the instrument they play : perfect time and high tension MELODIC lines across the most subtle construction . It's exactly the same way when I hear guitar player WES MONTGOMERY . Those cats are timeless references , wonderful and precious teachers .

[@meckel1271]

True, but Dexter had a weakness for quotes: Swinging on a Star and La Marceillaise on the bridge of Rhythm changes, etc. One can almost distinguish Dexter from early Coltrane on the basis of quotes.

[@UkuleleAversion]

So true. I really struggle with auto-piloting as an improviser.

[@sawomirmanikowski6742]

@@meckel1271 True, but you know why? Just becose Dexter had a sense of humour.

[@vatanenj]

@@jean-lucbersou758 You are hitting the essence of Dex playing.."Tenion & release" The way his lines continuously climb in the range of tenor sax...

[@cosmicwire6356]

One of the best licks I've ever found. I first came upon this in my high school jazz band's repertoire book and its stayed with me ever since just because of how unique and punchy it is.

[@alvinpaige3176]

The perfect tenor sound good lord

[@lawrencemuller8972]

I have been listening to Dexter for decades. I am starting to wonder if he is not simply the greatest saxophonist of all times.

[@wesm65]

What a genius! I never tire of this video. What an amazing solo.

[@Jazzmarcel]

I totally agree!....i always come back to this video!

[@Coronas135]

You have no idea how many times I've played this video ever since I dicovered it. Impeccable phrasing and just pure Dexter. I'm glad I memorized most of this solo, it shall forever be in my vocabulary!

[@worsley1000]

Dexter made EVERY Note MEAN Something !

[@Shailaun]

My 3 year old nephew JV says "I Love this song!!"

[@Alex-343]

nice

[@fluffshepnetwork7067]

@Shailaun You love to hear that kind of stuff, especially from younger generations.

[@skippruitt2391]

Go JV😊

[@creepingequinox7359]

Crazy that JV is 12 now. Do they still listen to jazz?

[@Shailaun]

@@creepingequinox7359 He’s with his parents more these days, and actually 13 now. I’m sure if he heard it again today, he might enjoy it. 😊

[@zadigthejasp]

Night and day, summer and winter im listening to this masterpiece.

[@markfarrington5183]

Instant joy - AND captured in sound quality far better than most American, TV at the time. Bless those Euro TV producers for getting it right.

[@manuelfernandez3570]

Claude Debussy on the Bass

[@weaj_]

No it's not you are off by like 70 years lol

[@Yummynoodle12]

+Swapster .com He died in 1918

[@alexambroise111]

+Manuel Fernandez Can't anyone take a joke?

[@andycormier2475]

with Barack Obama on Tenor Sax.

[@assignmentearth2899]

I thought it might've been a young Pete Barbutti, but you may be right too.

[@derrickgolden3558]

That's definitely "Joy to the World" at 1:15.

[@rico._5067]

I thought I was crazy

[@vladimirlopez7840]

He did that a lot. He snuck in pieces of other songs.

[@WestonLewin]

I was about to say...

[@KamilKisiel]

@@vladimirlopez7840 that's what pretty much all jazz players do, quoting is extremely common

[@SomXee]

Lol very true.

[@jorgemaximobadeltzappacost2733]

Wooww .. with no doubt one of the best solos EVER . He is got so much energy , talent , a wonderful tenor tone like no one else has , his frases with so much sense and powerful , an unbelievable swing , and what not ! , a real MASTER , God bless Dexter wherever he is at .

[@Gabriel-cc2vb]

he's in a coffin right now.

[@fluffshepnetwork7067]

@@Gabriel-cc2vb Not funny, but unfortunately true.

[@joshuacruz3119]

He's a forever legend

[@andregoodwin890]

Artists were so free in Europe! At a time when racial issues were occurring!

[@forceknt31]

Something beautiful about the closeup of his mouth moving around, watching him literally sing through that instrument.

[@kennybradshaw2122]

This drummer deserves an endorsement from Rolex

[@kennybradshaw2122]

@Cj McCollum Right on;-) I've watch this clip many times, love it.

[@plexoruselpuerco7193]

His fingers barely leave the leys, such good technique

[@edpolk1262]

Yeah, I used to have the problem of lifting my fingers way off the keys. Especially when I was playing a really fast solo (e.g. Time Check) My band teacher called me "happy fingers" Got rid of that habit in college.

[@cameraloopt]

I had the great pleasure of watching him perform many times here in George Jazzcafe in Arnhem. As mentioned here before there was no freewheeling with but he was probably always looking head for the next phrase. A giant!

[@michaelhallup2727]

Who tf actually disliked the video, you finna catch a fade

[@sablobsimus]

it is a fat finger on a tablet. disliking is inconceivable

[@Bbmin0rBmaj0r]

his tone is amazing! this is similar to what I want to sound like one day

[@Diego.MMartins]

His tone is really one of the most fantastic tones in jazz.

[@zachribas5101]

Diego Martins agreed

[@jacintoperez2953]

tenés que sonar como Isidro Santa Maria y nadie más, sino no tiene gracia que toques el saxo. Sonny Rollins sabía esto, por eso a pesar de que casi todos le decían lo bueno que era, él sabía que tenía que encontrarse a si mismo, por eso hizo varios retiros

[@eddiepimentelmusic]

pull that lip out!

[@ClarinetGREAT]

Conn 10M

[@susierock8341]

何という偶然❗️😳グレタ・ガーウィングのレディ・バード繋がりでデクスター・ゴードンにたどり着いた‼️🎷最近デクスター・ゴードンの主演映画「Round Midnight」を観たばかりです🎞️

[@hazlitt1]

Dexter was one of a few stars of the Golden Age of saxophone players.

[@jonathanclark7623]

When Dexter came home from Europe I went to see him at the Village Gate in NY C I made the Blunder of taking a date I was so blown away by Dex I forgot about the young lady I came with. The horn kept callin me .

[@9L252AL]

Good God! Comments from 5 yrs ago? Really? It makes me feel special.

[@myfakegoldchain1404]

Glad to see someone still here

[@9L252AL]

@myfakegoldchain1404 Thanks for your reply, but I'm not "still here." I'm embarrassed to say this is new to me. I'm 69 now and never had a phone until a year ago. My main exposure to Gordon and jazz over the years was listening to the radio on Saturday nights (Tulsa University; 89.5). Now I'm hearing stuff like this for the first time. Forgive me for rambling, but if I've never heard some music before, then it's new to me. And that's what counts. I'm glad to be in your company.

[@d3f1n3d2]

This is what happens when you have a disciplined rhythm section (that plays the changes and chords) a stellar composition and a great soloist.

[@dorianvaughn1915]

@@magentuspriest Well said...kinda. There's being reckless in jazz like playing the complete wrong changes over songs or "vibing" at jam sessions. But I do understand what you're saying. Jazz is a very laid back art

[@ioioio13]

@@magentuspriest I know this is a year old comment but really? Ever heard anybody wax poetic "it's about the notes they DON'T play!" Even if that's some cornball shit it's true. An undisciplined musician is an amateur one, and an amateur listener is one who can't hear restraint.

[@drumtwo4seven]

Beautiful tone, nice nice nice 👍👍 👍

[@christopherfischer6998]

One thing I want to point out too is the outstanding technique Dexter had. At 1:20, notice his fingers. They are barely coming off the keys

[@dannywoody5497]

Love love love Dex has got it all

[@TCNHC]

My man. I love Dexter Gordon. His phrasing, the best education of life. 🙏 🎷 ✨ 😇

[@nickerlas7008]

The bridge at 4:20 evokes a kind of luminosity that is so epic and unique in jazz of this era. It's as if everything in the song prior was leading up to this major point. This aumented horror arpeggio: It's horribly terrible and terrific at the same time. It marks a kind of ascention and holds a sense of completeness. I can't describe it in any other way.

[@koreanikeyc]

That drummer looks like he's enjoying himself

[@maicee7603]

koreanikeyc That's what jazz is, enjoy it

[@usererror2572]

Man how could you not when you all sound that damn good?

[@TheBoogie1127]

I would too if i were playing with dexter gordon

[@IRACEMABABU]

BTW That drummer is Daniel Humair, first call for all the jazz giants playing in Europe....

[@Johnnycdrums]

@@IRACEMABABU ; I like him, thanks for the info. Kinda' reminds me of a left hand set up John Poole.

[@piershorry4975]

My Saxophone teacher sent me here. I can learn so much from this video alone! I'm currently learning the low B flat and watching the way Dexter Gordon changes his embouchure to reach the low note, the camera man knew where to film.

[@blue47er]

What a wonderful story Dexter spins here; the way he develops his improvisation with such rich thematic logic and unstoppable drive. He is much missed and will be for many more years to come.

[@maureenbowerman5300]

A good year, a lovely tune, and masterful saxophone instrumentation......does it get any better?

[@craigallegrezza1876]

This is just one fabulous solo. I cannot believe how good he is on this tune. He goes from the very top of the horn, to the bottom, just so effortlessly. If you play the sax, you know how difficult this is, and to sound anywhere close to this.

[@clubedaserpente]

Long life to jazz! Long long life! Thanks!

[@jonahrivera7]

I always find myself rewatching this video, it just never gets old! I wonder what is going on in his head during the improv!

[@tw1050]

This might be my favorite jazz performance ever

[@ordaineddoodle4970]

If someone with zero jazz knowledge asked me which video to start with, I’d send ‘em to this one! 😊

[@magicbeatbox]

It matters not the quantity of viewers, but the quality of the people who listen. If precious gems were easy to find, they would have no value. Be grateful that you are part of the few elitist enthusiasts whose ears have been graced with the notes of this divine music.

[@gaylandsmith4242]

Amen brother! I rave about this solo to my wife and friends and they look at me like “what’s the big deal?” I don’t understand how anyone can’t see the other worldly beauty of this music?

[@ventus627]

1:32 - 1:36 favorite part of his solo

[@Dobrovinskiy]

great f# minor pentatonic resolving to Cmaj9 and it is between choruses - feels interesting

[@ijfcave]

2:37 - 2:47 is mine

[@PokeMinerNate]

Mine is 0:57-1:05

[@ms3515]

My favorite part is 0:00 to 5:41

[@ordaineddoodle4970]

I’m going with 2:22 - 2:30 😊

[@pamelatrent9674]

His fingers barely move....Love Dexter!

[@monroec.hatcherjr.8233]

I will never forget him....what a inspiration on The Tenor... this how a real man plays a tenor saxophone ..in your face, take no prisoners,...no doubts.... beautiful, prophetic....The Angel Gabriel might of blown it the same way.

[@woodspeed2419]

I am (or was) a tenor player and there are lots of players, past and present that I find compelling. That said, to me this IS what jazz tenor was and is meant to be. This isn't something that can be taught nor can be "analyzed" without also fundamentally cheapening it. I don't hear him trying to DO anything. The tremendous chops of Dexter and his rhythm section are forgotten and you are left with something that simply IS. Something that defies description.

[@viggosimonsen]

Probably some of the best of Dexter, I know of. The local rhythm section here is doing a fabulous job. They are definitely a worthy match

[@wasabi1drful]

That drummer is grooving!

[@boomerang905]

I feel so comfortable listening to him. So gentle and cool. 🎷

[@jazzapv]

I keep coming back to listening to this record, I'm almost addicted to it. Dexter Gordon got his story to tell, there's no bullshitting going on here. Incredible musicians.

[@Nobody-s2r]

Always loved Dexter...sounds like he quoted Flying Home at the tail end of his chorus

[@kyleboyd8915]

Was watching "Collateral" and heard Tom Cruises character Vincent mention this man Dexter Morgan as a west coast jazz great who played a jazz club in Lamerk Park.

[@andrewcharley1893]

This what a premier League tenor saxophonist sounds like😊

[@9L252AL]

My kitchen window is open tonight. Welcome to the neighborhood!

[@9L252AL]

@@jamesa.smith.7794 Thanks from Tulsa.

[@musigny55]

In summer of 1975 I was lucky to catch Dexter, and Niels Pedersen playing double sets 1 night at Montmartre Jazzhaus in Copenhagen. The next day, I boarded a train to catch the last day at Montreux to catch 2 more greats, Bill Evans, and Mingus, but the highlight was when Gerry "Dream a Little Dream" Mulligan came on for the last hour to Jam with Mingus and his changes band! The summer of 1975 will be 1 of the highlights of my life!

[@boomerang905]

musigny55 that was a slice of paradise

[@noahvale939]

Your name tells me you're a Burgundy lover. I've had the extremely memorable Le Musigny '59.

[@jayburns5848]

Dexter Gordon was a classic jazz tenor player with a melodic mellow robust sound , that made you feel like dancing. Prof. JCB

[@ifeford6646]

I was blessed to witness the jazz artistry of Brother Dexter Jordon in Philadelphia, PA--twice in the 1970’s--two of my best jazz show I ever.

[@NIGELpugh14]

Brilliant tone. Brilliant licks..Brilliant Tenor player..sort of sums it up really.

[@claragary]

A masterpiece!

[@funkytownfortworth5160]

Definitely my favorite interpretation of "Lady Bird" and piano solo was insane

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

Pure heaven listening to Dexter here! His tone, like Coltrane, was identifiable after two notes!

[@motivation89742]

Best saxophone performance ever! Dexter was a genius!

[@klaus8456]

Just imagine playing with that tone

[@Perico14ful]

Gracias por compartir esta joya. Saludos desde Sud America. Thanks.

[@albertbrown359]

Dexter laying it out there.Where? In the air? Each note released to the joy and ecstasy of the listeners. Ahhhhhh yah!

[@Jazz4Joe]

Dexter was in great form and at his best in the '60s. It just doesn't get better than this. Also, it's strange that over 100 listeners gave this super performance thumbs down. I say that if you don't like this then you just plain don't like jazz. And that's okay but what are you doing listening to a perfect sample of jazz and then giving it a thumbs down?

[@jjemsnd7]

Dexter! The sound! I love the listen to this man think. Genius of the highest order. What a gem.

[@dylanadamsguitar]

My god, Dexter just soars on this solo. I could listen to it all day.

[@FranciscoPereira-px6mu]

Dexter Gordon, the greatest sax player of all times.

[@RB-vi2ty]

Perfection

[@givemetoast]

Very classy style of playing. Dexter had a wonderful rich tone.

[@donatellobellomo6641]

Dexter Gordon e Giotto da Bondone. Una sola meraviglia!!! La sintesi allo stato puro.

[@tromBoyer]

“Endless fountain of ideas”? Yup…and to-die-for tone on top of that!

[@haydenwayne3710]

I have always loved Dexter Gordon's playing! The connective tissue between melodic ideas dancing on his inventive harmonic substitutions is fathomless. Truly a great artist for the ages!!!

[@WolfgangausMuenchen]

A firework of musical ideas and everything comes so seemingly effortlessly. You think this man just took up the horn and started telling his stories by means of that saxophone - never having to bother with practicing scales and other strenuous preparations. Great great great !

[@colinball9032]

The ultimate tenor sound- Otto Link "tonemaster" metal mouthpiece and Conn 10m sax plus Dexter Gordon, unbeatable!

[@bustifari]

Dexter is playing an original Dukoff ,not a LInk

[@titofernandez44]

Brad Sasher, what about the sax he played that day... could it be a SML?...

[@arcobow97]

Just absolute class, such an artful solo filled with brilliant musicality

[@abagthisbig2894]

Fantastic document.

[@Andrew_Whiteford]

2:40 “zing went the strings of my heart.” (maybe lol )

[@timmo491]

Seriously the Charles McNeal transcription of the solo is the best i have ever played. Thanks Charles (and Dex!).

[@jeffmill]

Also here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZaai5xopK5ni6c

[@radulf7317]

He was so great ,the giant Creolean ! I had the privilege , to see him live ! A time ago , I found his older playing , in the " L. Young / C . Hawkins Style . Absolute amazing , in that early years ! I have loved him with Wardell Grey - from whom I learnt one Solo ! How sad , that he was a lonely man in the end !

[@myingratealbinochild4825]

Wow ! This has great audio sound for 1964 .

[@claragary]

Man, Dexter was so musical!!! To me he's one of the top three tenor players in jazz history. Period!

[@jonbarnhart1947]

Amazing recording quality

[@Dang...]

So great! Thanks for posting this. Tremendous!

[@paradebaraki]

this is the best version of this song in the world

[@Bioniking]

Probably my favorite tenor sax player

[@gaylandsmith4242]

Tops the list of my favorite musicians. I've been listening to his solos for 40+ years and never get tired of them. I always come away amazed at his inventiveness, his amazing runs, rhythmic and melodic inventions, every note and space has a purpose. He can go on chorus after chorus and never repeat himself. My only complaint with this amazing performance is that it is far too brief! There will never be another Dexter!

[@LCohenSax]

Dex kills it. He quotes Zing Went the Strings of My Heart at 2:40

[@jacintoperez2953]

Ey! Había prestado atención a esa parte en particular y me sonaba conocible pero no sabía porque. Gracias!

[@jacintoperez2953]

''something inside of me started a symphony''

[@kindconsciousness8010]

And "Dinah" at 3:07

[@aaronvannynatten2546]

He uses Joy to the World at 1:15. At first he plays the melody exact but then moves it up an octave and changes it to fit the chords. Just genius!

[@boomerang905]

Aaron Van Nynatten That l heard right away. 😛💝

[@leoyucht]

You know what? While I believe it is sad that this type of video doesn't get the recognition it deserves, I am very happy that the tight-knit community that loves this stuff is so dedicated. We are truly an exclusive group - not everyone is into this. Dexter or any of the other great players never played FOR their audience, they played TO their audience for themselves. They weren't entertainers, they were artists. I am proud to be in a community with people like you who appreciate this art.

[@viggosimonsen]

The prophet only speaks to his disciples - no one else understands anyway 🙂

[@Jack-xb9ld]

Dexter's solo on this take is so chock-full of amazing melodic content, it's so much better than any other take (even of his) on Lady Bird. It's head and shoulders above the album version for example. Does anyone have any background info on this performance? Why is it so perfect? Was this rehearsed a lot, the end of a tour, or was it just an alignment of the stars ?

[@lawrencemuller8972]

I think it has to do with the fact that Dexter was happy in Europe.

[@jzzft11]

Isn't that "the European Rhythm Machine" that was Phil Wood's regularly working group for a number of years? If so, that would explain it. There's nothing like a regularly working rhythm section ( piano, bass, drums ) backing up a solid frontline player to make the music sound great.

[@faketrailermaker64]

Ofc he quoted Joy to the World and Dinah ofc

[@cemguvener9124]

David Schimmel Joy 1:16 , Dinah 3:08

[@dorianvaughn1915]

That's Dexter for ya!!

[@HarrisonFerlauto]

THE greatest solo on tenor saxophone EVER.(Period)

[@st2816ven]

Excellent