Title: Dexterity Artist: Dexter Gordon Release Date: 10/1995 Label: Jazz World Album Type(s): Greatest Hits UPCs: 789368220120, 8712177020317 Genre: Jazz Styles: Bop, Hard Bop Moods: Elegant, Refined/Mannered, Sophisticated, Playful, Smooth, Springlike, Stylish, Intimate, Laid-Back/Mellow, Literate, Lively, Poignant, Carefree, Cheerful, Freewheeling, Organic, Passionate, Soothing, Complex, Earthy, Energetic, Exuberant, Romantic Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 2

1. Doxy
2. Misty
3. For All We Know
4. But Not for Me
5. Come Rain or Come Shine
6. There Will Never Be Another You

1. Cute
2. Lullaby of Birdland
3. I Should Care
4. Seven Come Eleven
5. Blues for Gates
6. Lullaby of the Leaves
7. Body and Soul
8. Sonnymoon for Two

Year Type Label Catalog # 1995 CD Jazz World 303

No other editions were found for this album.

A person that might want only one, maybe a couple or three, of Dexter Gordon sides may spring for a budget collection of 14 performances from different sources, three of the tracks in the extended mode that this particular tenor saxophonist improviser is so good at. The question inevitably is which such set to get, since there are dozens. One school of thought is to sniff around regarding the identities of the rhythm section players or frontline partners, if applicable.

The Jazz World set entitled Dexterity does not in fact feature any of the latter breed of sparring partners, thus totally ignoring Gordon's part in the entire "tenor battle" experience. A less characteristic aspect is the presence of players such as vibraphonist Lionel Hampton and guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, more conservative stylists than Gordon on instruments not often featured in his combos. The tenor saxophonist's European years, rich in ad hoc sessions from both studio and live settings, are easy to spot in this program simply from the presence of rhythm section players such as expatriate pianist Kenny Drew and the Danish bass phenomenon who in a merciful act of kindness to proofreaders gets by with an acronym for a stagename, NHOP.

Pianist Kenny Drew worked frequently with Gordon abroad, his sparkling and layered accompaniment fairly miraculous in comparison with well-documented pick-up pianists who hit the bridge during the chorus, or the other way around. From a 1967 Copenhagen club date, Gordon tangles with "Doxy", Drew and luxurious drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath making the Danish bassist's job easy--not that NHOP would ever give that impression, each of his notes in the realm of being mistaken for a serving of Danish blood sausage, the kind with sugar in it.

A big chunk of Dexterity sources from this session, including a fantastic "Misty", one of Gordon's best ballads, and a lengthy "There Will Be Another You" in which the saxophonist quotes from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Darius Milhaud, Bing Crosby, The Andrews Sisters, the ape that terrorizes New Orleans in Murders of the Rue Morgue and a flock of grackles drunk on fermented berries.

Most of the rest of the set comes from a septet session co-led by Gordon and mentor Hampton in 1977. Candido is featured on conga drums, accenting the latin jazz element from Hampton's bag. The vibraphonist's swing launching pad meanwhile gets a boost from guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, firmly in the Charlie Christian mode although a trifle bloodless. Still, the version of "Seven Come Eleven" must have been a real "Hi I'm Charlie" for Pizzarelli, Hampton throwing his familiar parts into a rock tumbler.

Dexterity thus provides two lens with which to look at Gordon, a nightclub setting with a comfortable rhythm section and an unusual but not ridiculous studio all-star date in which his improvisational dimension is somewhat fettered, although never entirely. A driving but intrinsically nimble rhythm section featuring drummer Oliver Jackson and bassist George Duviver gives Gordon a flexible framework when the arrangements allow for open movement. "Blues For Gates" is a comfortable structure for something more casual to happen, the saxophonist's tonal range making the guitarist sound like part of the insect world in comparison. Neil Hefti's coy "Cute" gets a sexy seven minute workout, not a long track by Gordon's standards, the soloists each demonstrating clever moves around the perky chord changes. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide

Name Credits Albert "Tootie" Heath Drums Bucky Pizzarelli Guitar Candido Conga Dexter Gordon Sax (Tenor), Sax (Soprano), Main Performer Famke Damsté Liner Notes George Duvivier Bass Hank Jones Piano Kenny Drew Piano Lionel Hampton Vibraphone Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen Bass Oliver Jackson Drums