Marty Ashby welcomes drummer, educator, and jazz historian Thomas Wendt for a deep dive into Dexter Gordon: The Early Years.
Long before the classic Blue Note recordings, the European years, and the larger-than-life stature he would eventually earn, Dexter Gordon was one of the young musicians helping shape the sound of modern jazz.
Marty and Thomas trace those early years through recordings with Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Sir Charles Thompson, Benny Carter, Leo Parker, and Helen Humes, hearing Gordon’s sound and personality come into focus in real time.
It’s a look at Dexter Gordon before the legend was fully formed — and a chance to hear the confidence, humor, rhythmic swagger, and huge tenor sound that were already pointing toward everything that came next.
MCG Jazz Spotlight Show - Friday and Sunday night at 6, and 1pm, Saturday on WZUM.
