Dexter Gordon (February 27, 1923 – April 25, 1990) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He was among the earliest tenor players to adapt the bebop musical language of people such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell to the instrument. His studio and live performance career spanned over 40 years.Gordon's height was 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm), so he was also known as "Long Tall Dexter" and "Sophisticated Giant". He played a Conn 10M Lady Face until 1964. He lost the instrument in a Paris hotel and then switched over to a Selmer Mark VI. His saxophone, seen in various photos, was fitted with an Otto Link metal mouthpiece.In 1986, Dexter Gordon was named a member and officer of the French Order of Arts and Letters by the Ministry of Culture in France. His performance in Round Midnight (Warner Bros, 1986) was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Leading Role and he won a Grammy for Best Soundtrack. On April 25, 1990, Dexter Gordon died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Taught the saxophone; among his students was Hadley Caliman.
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Children: Robin, Deirdre, Mikael Solfors, Benjamin, and Woody Louis Armstrong Shaw.
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Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume Two, 1986-1990, pages 341-343. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1999.
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His uncredited role in the prison drama "Unchained" is that of a saxophone player in the prison jazz band. The film was shot at the correctional facility in Chino, California, where he was serving time for possession of heroin.
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Was the Godfather of Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich
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Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1988.
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Suffering from cancer of the larynx at the time of his death.
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Not long after 'Round Midnight (1986), Coca-Cola approached Dexter Gordon about appearing in some television commercials. They changed their mind however, as they felt his skin color was "too white" and not dark enough.
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Jazz saxophonist. Died of kidney failure in Philadelphia at age 67.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Halt and Catch Fire
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2016 writer - 1 episode, 2016
Black Mass
2015
performer: "The Christmas Song"
The Age of Adaline
2015
performer: "The Rainbow People" / writer: "The Rainbow People"
Diana
2013
performer: "Tanya"
Sparrows Dance
2012
performer: "Who Can I Turn To When Nobody Needs Me"
Silver City
2004
performer: "Darn That Dream" 1939
'Round Midnight
1986
writer: "Society Red", "Tivoli"
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Awakenings
1990
Rolando
Crime Story
1988
TV Series
Rollie
'Round Midnight
1986
Dale Turner
Jag älskar, du älskar
1968
John
Stopforbud
1963
Short
Narrator (voice)
Unchained
1955
Saxophone Player (uncredited)
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
'Round Midnight
1986
associate music consultant
Pornografi - en musical
1971
musician
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Pornografi - en musical
1971
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
American Masters
1989
TV Series documentary
Himself
The 59th Annual Academy Awards
1987
TV Special
Himself - Nominee: Best Actor in a Leading Role
Pornografi - en musical
1971
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Cool Cats
2015
Documentary
Himself
Tete Montoliu, una mirada
2007
Video
Himself
Play Your Own Thing: A Story of Jazz in Europe
2006
Documentary
Himself
Blue Note - A Story of Modern Jazz
1997
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Dexter Gordon: More Than You Know
1996
Documentary
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1988
Sant Jordi
Sant Jordi Awards
Best Foreign Actor (Mejor Actor Extranjero)
'Round Midnight (1986)
1987
David
David di Donatello Awards
Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero)
'Round Midnight (1986)
1987
Silver Ribbon
Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists
Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero)
'Round Midnight (1986)
1986
LAFCA Award
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
Best Music
'Round Midnight (1986)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1987
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Actor in a Leading Role
'Round Midnight (1986)
1987
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
$800,000
