JAZZ ICONS: DEXTER GORDON LIVE IN '63 AND '64

Series 2; Featuring Kenny Drew

Dexter Gordon

Jazz Icons: Dexter Gordon features three concerts filmed in 1963 and 1964 in Holland, Switzerland and Belgium that highlight the bebop legend's classic style and silky tone. Filmed while Dexter was living in Europe, these shows feature legendary side musicians such as Art Taylor (drums) and Kenny Drew (piano) and jazz classics Blues Walk, A Night In Tunisia, Body And Soul and others. One of the most influential saxophonists in jazz history (both John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins claim him as an influence), Dexter Gordon is captured in sharp form and style on this 70-minute tour de force.

From Liner Notes by Maxine Gordon: "When the performances on this DVD were filmed in Europe in 1963 and 1964, Dexter Gordon was not on tour from the United States. He was living in Copenhagen, Denmark, working for months at a time at the Montmartre Jazz Club. At the time of the concert in Lugano, Switzerland, on September 20, 1963, Dexter was 40 years old and was referred to as an expatriate even though he never considered himself anything but a jazz musician living in Europe where he could find steady work and peace of mind. When he wasnt working, he would often be seen riding around town on his bicycle. Though clearly attached to the United States he made numerous trips back to visit his familyhe considered Copenhagen his second home."

The 7 volume Jazz Icons Series 2 features classic performances from some of the greatest legends of the past 50 years, captured in their prime in various locations from the 1950s through the 1970s. The DVDs are transferred from the original masters, and each DVD features a 24-page booklet with an essay written by an authoritative jazz historian as well as rare and unseen photos. The series is produced with the full support and cooperation of the artists or their estates, many of whom are contributing rare personal photographs, memorabilia, and forewords. These concerts have never been officially released on home video, and in many cases, the material was never broadcast. We are very proud to present all of these DVDs.

"This is like the discovery of a bonanza of previously unknown manuscripts of plays by William Shakespeare." Nat Hentoff, Wall Street Journal.

"These historic DVDs are among the most important visual/aural documents to be mined from the ever-yielding, seemingly hidden jazz treasury. Now, most importantly, they are available to the entire world." Ira Gitler, co-author, The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz (Oxford)

"Considering the almost alarming proliferation of jazz DVDs on the market today, and their extremely variable quality, it is good to know that Reelin In The Years can be trusted to bring viewers nothing but the best in content and presentation." Dan Morgenstern, Director, Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers University; author, Living With Jazz (Pantheon Books)

Contents:

Holland 1964:
1. A Night In Tunisia
2. Whats New
3. Blues Walk

Switzerland 1963:
1. Second Balcony Jump
2. Youve Changed

Belgium 1964:
1. Lady Bird
2. Body And Soul

Features:

24-page booklet
Liner notes by Dexter's widow, historian Maxine Gordon
Foreword by Michael Cuscuna
Cover photo by Francis Wolff
Booklet photos by Jan Persson, Lee Tanner, Riccardo Schwamenthal
Memorabilia collage

Musicians