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Dexter Gordon Dexter Gordon, born on February 27, 1923, in Los Angeles, California, was an iconic American jazz tenor saxophonist known for his big, warm tone, melodic improvisations, and bebop and hard bop styles. Gordon's career spanned over five decades, during which he established himself as one of the most influential and celebrated saxophonists in the history of jazz. Gordon grew up in a musical family and began playing clarinet and alto saxophone at a young age. He switched to tenor saxophone in his teens and quickly developed a distinctive sound and style on the instrument. Gordon's early influences included tenor saxophonists like Lester Young and Herschel Evans, as well as the bebop pioneers Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. Gordon rose to prominence in the 1940s and 1950s as a leading figure in the bebop and hard bop movements. His big, bold tone and his fluid, melodic improvisations made him a favorite among jazz fans and musicians alike. Gordon's 1961 album "Doin' Allright" is considered a classic of the hard bop genre and features his inventive playing on tracks like "You've Changed" and "Society Red." In addition to his work as a bandleader, Gordon was also a prolific sideman, recording and performing with some of the greatest musicians in jazz, including Bud Powell, Sonny Clark, and Thelonious Monk. His playing was admired for its technical prowess, its emotional depth, and its ability to tell a story through music. Gordon's career experienced a resurgence in the 1970s and 1980s, when he moved to Europe and recorded a series of acclaimed albums for the SteepleChase label. His 1976 album "Homecoming: Live at the Village Vanguard" is considered one of the greatest live jazz recordings of all time and features Gordon's powerful tenor saxophone playing at its best. Dexter Gordon passed away on April 25, 1990, but his music continues to be celebrated and admired by jazz fans around the world. His big, warm tone, melodic improvisations, and bebop and hard bop styles have had a lasting impact on the genre, and his legacy as one of the greatest saxophonists in the history of jazz is secure.