Dexter Gordon

Dexter Gordon

Dexter Gordon (1923–1990), towering tenor saxophonist “Long Tall Dexter,” carried bebop’s language with a big, burnished tone and behind-the-beat ease. After early stints with Lionel Hampton and Billy Eckstine, he cut Blue Note classics—Doin’ Allright, Dexter Calling…, Go!, Our Man in Paris. Years in Europe preceded his Oscar-nominated turn in Round Midnight (1986).