Jazz Artist of the Week
Dexter Gordon - "GO"

With a huge hard tone and with pared-down lines, Dexter Gordon, one of the first tenor saxophonists to play be-bop, influenced countless musicians, including John Coltrane. Mr. Gordon's playing owed much of its spareness and clarity to the influence of the saxophonist Lester Young; he added the complexity of be-bop and a more muscular tone. But while many be-bop musicians played improvisations that were detailed and embroidered, Mr. Gordon's playing was plain and smooth, like polished marble. His music had humor. He was a master of the musical quotation, and he would often insert a funny aside into an improvisation as comic relief.
     "GO" is one of Dexter Gordon's most famous albums. It features himself on tenor saxophone, Billy Higgins on drums, Butch Warren on bass and Sonny Clark on piano. Check it out...