Sophisticated Giant

November 15, 2018

More than anyone, it was Dexter Gordon who moved Charlie Parker's bop innovations onto the bigger tenor horn in the early 1940s. Recognition came early to Gordon, but so did temptation, and he spent much of the Fifties in prison for drug use. He moved to Europe from 1962 to 1976. Partly because of the efforts of wife and author Maxine Gordon, an oral historian and archivist in the fields of jazz and African American cultural history, his return was a resounding triumph. His success was cemented when he landed the role of sax man Dale Turner in Bertrand Tavernier's Round Midnight, earning an Oscar nomination for best actor. From then on, he was royalty. When Dexter met Maxine, she was working as an agent for jazz combos. Here she displays firsthand knowledge of the political economy of jazz playing and the discrimination and grievances musicians endured. Gordon isn't the strongest writer, but her honesty and passion bleed into her prose to create a lively and valuable look at the jazz giant and his world. VERDICT For jazz lovers first but enjoyable for general readers, too.--David Keymer, Cleveland

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