Thinking about Dexter Gordon on His Birthday

American tenor saxophonist and actor Dexter Gordon was born on this day in 1923.  He left us on April 25, 1990.

During Dexter Gordon's 40-year studio and performance career--15 of which he lived in Europe, mainly in Paris and Copenhagen, playing with visiting and expatriate musicians-- he accomplished much.  There's a wealth of information about him at the Dexter Gordon web site among other places.  But today I was thinking about Gordon mainly in connection with two things:  (1) his ability as an actor and (2) the jazz poems out there about him. 

With regard to his acting, Dexter Gordon did a good job playing the character Dale Turner in the movie Round Midnight.  Many movie goers and jazz lovers will remember that in the movie, Dale Turner is a musician losing his battle with alcoholism.  Gordon received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Turner.

When I consider jazz poems about Dexter Gordon, one that readily comes to mind is February in Sidney, by Yusef Komunyakaa.  I'll quote four lines of the 31-line poem here.

Dexter Gordon's tenor sax
plays "April in Paris"
inside my head all the way back
on the bus from Double Bay.

February in Sidney goes on to mention Round Midnight, the '50s, cool cobblestone streets, and Bebop musicians such as Bud Powell, Lester Young, Ben Webster, and others.  The poem also talks about the pain and dark side of some Bebop musicians' lives during that time.

I'll note here that American poet Al Young has also written some jazz poems that mention specific musicians, including Dexter Gordon.  I think I'll check out a couple of them now. 

About Valentine's Day Gifts

On February 14, some people prefer giving traditional Valentine’s Day gifts such as jewelry, chocolate candy, or flowers, especially red roses.  And some prefer giving any-time-of-year gifts such as books, music CDs, or DVDs.  Others go with giving gift cards.  A few might give their beloved a trip to a favorite city.  And a few might give a quirky gift, such as something only they know about and think no one but the object of their affection could like; and  hence there are no examples of it to be named here.  But let’s move ahead with what we can know. 

 People who prefer giving books will find countless fiction and non-fiction ones in paperback and ebook formats to choose from and give to their special someone.  The memoir Paris:  A Love Story, by Kati Marton; a short story collection titled Encounters in Paris, by Carolyn Moncel; and the novel Intrigue in Paris, by Vee Garcia come to mind as being available in both formats.

As far as music CDs are concerned, there are unlimited choices available in all genres, but two that might come readily to some people’s minds are A Love Supreme, by the supremely respected jazz saxophonist John Coltrane; and the classic and timeless, Let’s Stay Together by Al Green.

If your significant other likes poetry you might consider giving him or her the book Sonnets from the Portuguese, by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.   In it you’ll find the often recited poem “Sonnet Number 43 (How Do I Love Thee?  Let Me Count the Ways).”  

Speaking of poetry books, you might also consider one titled The Sound of Dreams Remembered, by American poet Al Young.  One of the great poems in this collection is “April in Paris,” a beautiful jazz poem about being in love in one of the most romantic cities in the world.

With regard to movie DVDs, there are a whole range of romantic ones on the market, making it easy for people who want to give one or a few of them to their significant other for Valentine’s Day. 

While a gift card would be an easy gift, a trip to a favorite city might pose a problem for some Valentine’s Day gift givers.  Perhaps February is not an optimal time of year for you and your spouse or lover to travel to his or her favorite city.  If this is the case, you could give a handwritten certificate that states the two of you will go during the next best month, or you might come up with surprise paid-for- in-advance tickets for the two of you to go later in the year.