Dexter Gordon prior to his retirement

[Gheorghe]

From 1980-1983 I heard Dexter Gordon quite often with his working quartet with Kirk Lightsey, Eddie Gladden and (first ) John Heard and (later) David Eubanks.

The last time I saw him was in 1983 on an occasion that was titled „be bop supernight“ with first Johnny Griffin quartet, Woody Shaw quinted and Dexter Gordon. It was supposed that all the three leaders would play together at the end but that didn´t happen.

Though Dexter on the earlier occasions from 1980-1982 always was in top form and played for almost 2 hours, on the 1983 occasion he only played 4 tunes (Secret Love, More Than You Know, a quite slow Good Bait and Jelly Jelly Jelly on which he „sang“ (with a very hoarse voice, not as good as on Swiss Nights) into the closer LTD.

I remember he came on stage only after the rhythm section had played three tunes.

I heard he continued touring, I read a long review about a club date in Germany, where the first set was played without him, and later he was not in top form but recovered and played for two hours.

I also read he had an extended gig at „Rick´s Cafe“ in Chicago, followed by Billy Eckstine.

What happened after that? I read he played in Finland early in 1984 but became ill, and had to play in Marocco, where he actually arrived but I don´t know what happened.

Who has seen Dexter live from 1983 – 1984 and how did he sound?

[Hardbopjazz]

I have 5 live recordings of LTD from 1983 and 1984. He did slow down at this point.

Village Vanguard February 26, 1983

Village Vanguard February 27, 1983

Riccione, Italy July 21, 1983

Riccione, Italy January 21, 1883

Umbria Jazz Festival, Perugia, Italy July 8, 1984

Edited January 6, 2012 by Hardbopjazz

[Gheorghe]

Thanks for your answer!

So many live recordings, you are lucky!

Well, I also have been told that he had slowed down at that period. As I said, I saw him live in january 1983 but don´t have no live recordings. I didn´t know he still played in july 1984.

Do you remember what tunes he played? There was very little press about him during that time.