Dexter Gordon Quartet Live At The North Sea Jazz Festival • 15-07-1979 • World of Jazz

[@SaxmanJones-sr1il]

I have saxophonic multiple personality disorder: all my life, I wanted to sound like Paul Desmond on alto, Gerry Mulligan on bari and Stan Getz on tenor. Then I bought Montreux Summit back in '77 and heard Dexter Gordon and didn't want to play tenor ever again! How can anybody play that many choruses and not repeat a single lick? The man was and will always be the most awesome tenor player I ever heard; a once in a generation talent and super cool!

[@FCntertainr]

Dexter was acknowledged as the one who transferred the bebop language from Charlie Parker alto to tenor! Along with Don Byas who never strayed from his swing roots. Coltrane, Getz, Allan Eager, Rollins, Coltrane all listened to Coleman Hawkins, ben Webster and Lester Young but liked Dexter 👌 as the intermediary bop tenor. I seen an interview of Rollins asked if he liked Dexter? He exclaimed of course I liked Dexter!

[@jamesadams8022]

Agree with you but I don’t think he necessarily stood above some other players of his generation- only need to look at his contemporaries on the West Coast- eg Wardell Gray, Harold Land, Teddy Edwards, (who is also credited with first be-bop solo on record) I think there’s a lot of underrated guys too who were so talented but for one reason or another never get mentioned in the same light- Dexter led classic sessions for sure and deserves his accolades. Not taking anything away from Dexter of course nor critiquing your post in a negative way just want to give a shout out to the other talent of Dexter’s generation 👍

[@markhiggins8315]

C​@@FCntertainr The first complete, no transitional be bop tenor I've heard was Sonny Stitt. His recordings with Bud Powell are the earliest outstanding recordings of great bop tenor. Some of the very best examples put down in a studio.

[@andrewcharley1893]

Every thing about Dexter is BIG!!!!!!!

[@rozenaxsax5133]

Rufus Reid is a monster of a bassist. Incredible playing on every song. I could listen to him soloing all day long.

[@zdravkonovak7689]

Divan jszz

[@zdravkonovak7689]

Bravoooo

[@zdravkonovak7689]

Nenadmašni Dekdtrr Horfon

[@3JoeLee]

wow!

[@Starritt_Piano]

I really, really love Gladden, Lightsey and Reid as just a trio, they compliment each other so well, I’d have loved to hear a whole trio a album of just these three together, they’re so dynamic!!!

[@rozenaxsax5133]

I agree fully.

[@FCntertainr]

I saw this band in 1982 with David Eubanks on bass and tbey were awesome but Eddie stole the show!

[@bradg4562]

@@FCntertainr true dat. Talk about unheralded/underappreciated drummers. Eddie Gladden is right up there with any of his contemporaries. The man is a powerhouse. 110% all the time. Add Rufus and Kirk and you have one of the best trios ever. 🥁

[@Hank-ip8rl]

They released an album under Reid's name a year after this called Perpetual Stroll and it's a beautiful record.

[@normanlove3919]

Incredible!!!

[@olebirgerpedersen]

Dexter was a good friend of mine and I miss him, his play and his wonderful sence of humor. I still regard him as one of the greatest ever.

[@PhrygianPhrog]

What kind of things did you use to talk about with Dexter? I always wondered his thought about music, the musical approach he took, his ideas :)

[@normanlove3919]

Ever meet his buddy and fan tenor man Red Higgins out of Omaha here? He took me to hear Dex when I was 18

[@ArthurHolloway-f1l]

When I was in highschool learning how to play the saxophone, I used to go to one of my uncle's house and pull out a lot of his albums to pick up some licks from cats like Coltrane, Turrentine, Jug and one day he turned me on to Dexter and I've been a fan ever since and that was back in 1965.

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

Wow, Dexter’s cadences!!!

[@giuseppefabris1874]

JAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ JAZZ WILL NEVER DEAD. GRANDE DEXTER

[@guillermoluisespinasse3667]

GREAT.

[@patsirianni7984]

Dexter puts the mellow in his notes that touches my soul

[@skimanization]

Wow, what a show of talent. dexter Gordon is always my mentor on saxophone. I also all the guys on rhythm section, they are all brilliant players. The drummer, Eddie gladden reminds me of Philly Jo Jones. Well done!!!

[@piotrsalamon6212]

SUUUper!!! Tolle Besetzung und Konzert! Fantastisch!!!

[@maureenbowerman5300]

It's likely my dad knew about Dexter Gordon, being just six years older and playing the same instrument and genre. I've just recently started listening to his music, its really good, and shows the same influence I recognize from the 40's and 50's.

[@olavbe3134]

dex took the bop down to his own level and made himself the greatest tenor player so far . the pianoplayer here is great and the rest of the band as well lovely olav bøe norway

[@martinlehfeldt6916]

My favorite jazz trio. Dex is my favorite tenor. Love all the live playing on these guys.

[@PhrygianPhrog]

Wow this is so beautiful I'm weeping. Full human expression in this music.

[@martinlehfeldt6916]

For me nobody could comp better than kirk lightsey.

[@patsirianni3025]

Played cool and mellow tall man

[@tonartification]

Dex - the man!! The band is on fire - deep jazz!! Great memories - I was there ;)

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

This is really an important documentation of Dexter and some of his most beloved accompanists. I had the previligue to hear a later version of this setting in Stockholm, Sweden at the Skeppsholmen Jazz & Blues Festival in 1981. The late great David Eubanks had replaced Rufus Reid. As I remember (Fond memory!) they played Tangerine, Tanya, one of Dexter’s classic ballads and Gingerbread Boy. Despite the chilly early summer night they really raised the temperature!

[@kpoudavoff]

Dexter never liked Rufus too much though, he’d always tell him “man, you’re not the soloist, you play too many notes”. And his time wasn’t that great. Definitely prefer Eubanks brothers over any bassist Dexter has played with.

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

What a force Eddie Gladden was! He never forgot the pulse no matter how dense the playing was.

[@pegrueneis]

Gladden wow

[@anthonywinkler6666]

Wonderful!

[@gunnarkarlsson3391]

Still totally outstanding

[@ArthurHolloway-f1l]

Dexter Gordon with the Kirk Lightsey trio. Wow,what a trip!!!!

[@gunnarkarlsson3391]

Gött att höra Dexter i toppform

[@sammygonzalez7627]

I really like that intro for the man himself, Mr Dexter Gordon

[@thebritandtheyank3821]

In response to Mark Schultz; I'm a 65 year old NYC educated musician who has spent 40 years at total immersion in Jazz, having come previously from a classical background. From this perspective - and as a teacher, I've found that it is simply important enough to speak to the shortcomings of the public around me without simultaneously alienating that audience whom might just remain willfully ignorant otherwise, and this is my motivation with all things. My education was deepened and given context in 1978 when I heard Dexter at the Village Vanguard. It was an epiphany beyond my abilities to describe it even now. Perhaps those of us for whom these things have meaning and consequence should band together in our obvious advocacy so that we CAN change things.

[@myroncohen7619]

well stated!

[@mikeos1]

I was there that year.

[@kpoudavoff]

33:38 Dex attacks the tune , that’s amazing.

[@reinaldocaruso3772]

My favorite tenor player... A very unique voice in jazz.

[@jostak2726]

I was there, Congresgebouw, The Hague : ) Thanx!!!

[@jpa1214]

This is great

[@couchphotography8861]

Dexter had a part in the Awakenings film with Robin Williams...he looked so cool and elegant and also played piano in the movie. He's missed!

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

The trio in the piano solo in It’s you or no one...

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

Jazz at it`s best!

[@matteopiazza1301]

Thanks very very much once again dear World Of Jazz for those real gems!!! The beautiful songs with Dexter - "It's You Or No One" - "More Than You Know" and "Backstairs" had already been published a few years ago both on DVD and CD but, the songs that perform the rhythm section at the concert opening "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "Freedom Jazz Dance" are a beautiful gift !!!!!

[@jalebjaba1487]

Dexter influenced Trane ,and many other Tenor players , Lester influenced them all,but Dex made it Cool ,Sophisticated Giant ❤️

[@thebritandtheyank3821]

I've felt Dexter Gordon to be spectacularly overlooked for some time now, but perhaps maybe it's just me. His power and authority added to the unique tonal palate he uses had been a hallmark of his playing for his whole life, and like Ben Webster (for example), they both beautifully add to the tenor saxophone lineage with riches beyond that of mere mortals.

[@jalebjaba1487]

Dexter gained fame on the screen lived abroad,and was famous there,Inspired Trane ,Rollins .I wouldn’t say he was overlooked . Long Tall Dexter’s last book written by his wife Maxine is A great read.

[@MsMojoworks]

He won an Oscar for heaven’s sake! Overlooked!?!

[@sulaimanbeyah3308]

@@MsMojoworks He was nominated for an Oscar, PAUL NEWMAN won the Oscar, his FIRST & ONLY Oscar!!!

[@normanlove3919]

Mastery from all involved,!!!

[@erginyilmaztenor]

at 1:26:30 came the Moment Notice motif.

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

Yeah! So good to see and hear these gentlemen! The top of the crop at this time.

[@ricardoleon6142]

Thank you for posting this document. Mr. Gordon was an acoustic jazz giant amongst tenor sax players. Very nice and clean sound + vision. Our man in Paris.

[@gilbertobellino]

Assisti este show em São Paulo! Beautiful!

[@martinbreukelen]

Been there.... memories ....

[@A.ChristopherJohnson]

Beauty !!!

[@wernerdahnz3863]

My man, Dexter. Thanks a lot.

[@juliosajevicas4719]

amazing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

If you don’t get it, this is as good as it gets

[@MyFlare123]

Set list: 1. i didn't know what time it was. 2. freedom jazz dance. 3. it's you or no one. 4. more than you know. 5. backstairs.

[@katella12]

The first tune isn't "I Didn't Know What Time is Was". It's Dave Brubeck's composition "In Your Own Sweet Way."

[@MyFlare123]

@@katella12 you're quite right

[@reedoutloud]

Isn't 1. In your own sweet way (Brubeck)???

[@kurinakornel1]

@@reedoutloud Yes! :)

[@ricardoamadeusmusic]

Can you guys tell me who’s the piano player. I just recognized Rufus Reid

[@previtalle]

Excelente!

[@paulzauner]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jamesmcrawford]

A play list would be very helpful !!!!

[@MyFlare123]

1. i didn't know what time it was. 2. freedom jazz dance. 3. it's you or no one. 4. more than you know. 5. backstairs.

[@katella12]

@@MyFlare123 The first tune isn't "I Didn't Know What Time is Was". It's Dave Brubeck's composition "In Your Own Sweet Way."

[@RickBrowntrombonist]

It's You Or No One, More Than You Know, Backstairs.

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

Clear 1-3 on the bass drum in the uptempo numbers. Guess that’s what was needed (along with Eddie’s Big cymbal beat) to keep the tempo 😊

[@jeffmill]

Dex's first tune: 27:24

[@calebcaleramartinez165]

Thanks 4 that

[@thebritandtheyank3821]

My sincere apologies for monopolizing space here, but some seemingly highly self-regarding soul admonished me for not realizing that Dexter could not have been overlooked because he had won an Oscar! No he had not (although I vividly remember praying that he would), although he was nominated that year. It's more than disconcerting that those so proud of their willful ignorance see fit to parade it more easily than ever in our digital age, pomposity serves no purpose.

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

Seems like nylon tips on Gladden’s sticks. He changed from a 20” ride (old A?) to an A 22” Light. Sorry , not at this time but a few years later.

[@raymondkarlsson9794]

Hard to match the performance of Gladden here! 🙏🏻

[@henriknielsen8305]

32:43

[@bassofone1]

Any one know why Dexter would hold his horn up like that? Was there a story behind that? I can imagine what it means but was wondering if there's a history/story behind that gesture.

[@rinahall]

Dex comes only at min 29

[@klausfalter4692]

Super....so klingt nur ein Selmer Sax- Mark 6...

[@denniswatts2880]

Too bad Lightsey didn't do more recording with DeX. He was one of few pianists who could keep up and still be interesting to listen to after a Gordon solo. Is it just me or is Gladden struggling a little on the first quartet tune?

[@Starritt_Piano]

@Mark Schultz also Ronnie Matthews when Dexter and Woodie Shaw were in the group, and Irv Rochlan with a sensitive touch, both underrated 😊

[@camuy4142]

Bill Evans influence...

[@normanlove3919]

More white hot creative fire than dull Bill though

[@JosephWilliams-ih9np]

i😊😊😅😊😊

[@shakydave]

Dexter looks like he was wasted. Was he still battling his addiction in 1979?

[@brucesmith3740]

i saw in person about 1976. i talked with him between a break. he seemed mentally sharp and physically strong. i think soon after he had medical issues. just my observation.

[@jalebjaba1487]

Dexter drank heavy in his older years ,his playing was still superb.

[@stevenvc135]

I would have thought the same .. and still be able to make beautiful music!

[@MsMojoworks]

@@jalebjaba1487 was not a drinker but a pothead!

[@mikeos1]

@@MsMojoworks Well, I saw Dexter late at night in Nice town after a gig at the jazz festival at Cimiez. He was sitting all alone at an outdoor bar with more that one bottle of red wine on the table.He looked frankly rather sad..

[@cryptowalls]

as of 8/11/2020, 12 dislikes.....pff - probably some rock sculpting "artist"....pssssh

[@vova47]

So sorry George Cables was no longer in the band. He was WAY better pianist for Dexter.

[@johnvalentine3456]

WAY? You sure?

[@67lobe]

i like Cables as as composer/pianist but also think Lightsey had more of the energy neccessary to follow Dex.

[@LorenzoDeLeon]

You must be kidding. I saw - and hanged out with - Kirk Lightsey in France in the eighties and he was pure fire. One of the most underrated pianists in my opinion. And a super cool cat too !

[@martinstonely2636]

@@LorenzoDeLeon Thank you brother . I couldn't agree more . Kirk was always incredible !