Dexter Gordon: Blues Walk
Musicians:
Dexter Gordon (tenor sax), Kenny Drew (piano), Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (bass), Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums).
Recorded: live at the Montmartre Jazzhouse, Copenhagen, July 20, 1967
Rating: 98/100 (learn more)
Tenor titan Dexter Gordon was a mainstay at the Montmartre during the 1960s, except for '66 when a drug sentence in Paris prevented him from obtaining a work permit in Denmark. But luckily he was back in 1967. That year his playing at the club during the summer was even more majestic and inspired than before, possibly because of the excellent rhythm section. I happened to be at the club this particular evening, and the concert stands out in my memory as one of the best I ever heard with Gordon. The recording doesn't contradict my memory, and this performance is a classic. Gordon plays marvelously through his 30 solo choruses, followed by Kenny Drew, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Albert Heath, respectively. The tempo is fast, and each man is up on his toes, making the music glow. It was certainly a hot night. NHØP plays a 6-chorus solo where his articulation is unusually clean and precise, especially considering the tempo.
Reviewer: Frank Bachmann Møller
Tags: 1960s jazz · bass · tenor sax
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