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Dexter Gordon

Dexter Gordon was a towering figure in the world of jazz, renowned for his sophisticated harmonic knowledge, and his particularly large, spacious sound on the tenor saxophone. Born on February 27, 1923, in Los Angeles, California, Gordon's career spanned over 40 years. He emerged as one of the first players of the bebop idiom and was among the earliest tenor players to adapt the nascent style created by Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell on his instrument, setting a precedent that many saxophonists would follow for years to come.

Gordon spent significant parts of his career overseas, notably in Copenhagen, Denmark, which influenced some of the titles of his recordings, such as "Copenhagen Coda." His career saw several periods of resurgence, with the 1960s being particularly productive, as indicated by releases like "Montmartre 1964 (Live)." After a period of relative obscurity, he enjoyed a major comeback in the late 1970s, marked by a prolific period of recording and performing. Dexter's deep, mellow sound and strong sense of swing made him an influential figure in the transition from swing to bop. His influence went beyond music; his life and music inspired the Academy Award-nominated film 'Round Midnight' (1986), in which Gordon starred as a character based on himself. Dexter Gordon passed away on April 25, 1990, but his recordings such as "Soul Sister," "What's New," and "Gotham City" continue to inspire and captivate jazz aficionados around the world.

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