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.
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