Dexter Gordon

Dexter Gordon (born Feb. 27, 1923, Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.—died April 25, 1990, Philadelphia, Pa.) was an American bop tenor saxophonist. As a youth Gordon played the clarinet and alto saxophone, but the improvising of Lester Young inspired him to play the tenor saxophone exclusively. He gained early experience in bands led by Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Billy Eckstine, and alto saxophonist Charlie Parker, who also influenced Gordon’s music. A big-toned, exultant, lyrical soloist, he...