Artist:Dexter Gordon
Song:Cheese Cake
Album:The Classic Blue Note Recordings
This is another in my ongoing series introducing classic jazz to newcomers. My only requirement is I have a performance video clip. Even non jazz fans should be familiar with tenor sax legend Dexter Gordon from his Oscar nominated performance in the 1986 film Round Midnight. Gordon had recorded since the early days of bebop. But the best introduction to his music is his Blue Note recordings from the early 60s. Cheese Cake from Gordon's 1962 album Go! is one of his signature songs. He was born Feb. 27, 1923 in Los Angeles. Gordon's father was one of the first black doctors in Los Angeles and jazz musicians like Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton were among his patients. Gordon started playing clarinet at age 13 and eventually he switched to tenor sax. He was playing in local clubs with guys like Chico Hamilton and Buddy Collette. Gordon was in Lionel Hampton's band from 1940-43. After stints with Fletcher Henderson and Louis Armstrong, Gordon moved to New York to join Billy Eckstine's band. And that's where bebop really started. Gordon was a featured soloist with Eckstine and in Dizzy Gillespie's band. And he recorded as a leader for Savoy. After returning to Los Angeles, Gordon recorded for Dial Records. He was also a busy sideman. The 50s saw Gordon in and out of prison and addicted to heroin. He first went to prison in 1953 and was released in 1959. Gordon signed with Blue Note in 1961. He moved to New York as recording was at Van Gelder in New Jersey. Gordon recorded for Blue Note from 1961-64. Cheese Cake is from his 1962 album Go! with Sonny Clark on piano, Butch Warren on bass and Billy Higgins on drums. Go! may be Gordon's best Blue Note album and this 2 CD comp is a good intro to those recordings. By the time Gordon signed with Prestige in 1965, he moved to Europe. He recorded for Prestige until 1973 and then he recorded for the Danish label SteepleChase. Gordon returned to New York in 1976 and signed with Columbia. There was renewed interest in Gordon and this led to the film Round Midnight. By this time Gordon was having smoking related health problems and this led to his death on April 25,1990 at age 67. Here's Dexter Gordon with Kirk Lightsey on piano, David Eubanks on bass and Eddie Gladden on drums performing Cheese Cake. It doesn't give a date or location but it looks like the 80s.
Extremely good piece there Frank. I liked it. And I believe your right, it does look like the 80's. I like the last part with Mr. Lightsey on the piano. That was an amazing performance. But then all the musicians were amazing. Thanks for posting Frank.
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