FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nebula Repertory Ensemble Association presents: DEXTER LIVES! The Dexter Gordon 50th Anniversary Concert, Saturday, February 22, 2025, 2:00 p.m. at Scarboro United Church, 134 Scarboro Av. SW.

This is the Nebula society’s tribute to GRAMMY-winning and OSCAR-nominated NEA JAZZ MASTER tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon (February 27, 1923 to April 25, 1990) on the 50th anniversary of his only Calgary appearance (November 25, 1974, University Theatre, John C. Reid concert presenter) and the 102nd anniversary of his birth. The concert features JUNO-nominated Al Muirhead, trumpet; John Reid, saxophone and flute; Jon Day, piano; John Gray, bass; Ed Batley, drums.

Mr. Gordon performed only once in our fair city: in November 1974 — 50 years ago. The producer of that event was our current Artistic Director and saxophonist, John Reid, and the bass player that performed in that concert, John V. Gray, is also performing. Mr. Reid did his Master’s thesis on Dexter Gordon (M.A. Jazz History and Research from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, 2010, Lewis Porter, supervisor)

The Nebula Repertory Ensemble Association (incorporated as a non-profit society in the Province of Alberta in 2019) has received a project grant from CADA (Calgary Arts Development Authority) to present this concert.

 

Tickets: $40; $35 for Nebula & CALL members; $10 for students. Available at eventbrite.ca.

 

Dexter Gordon, saxophone

(February 27, 1923 to April 25, 1990) National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Dexter Gordon is widely known in jazz as being the musician to translate alto saxophonist Charlie Parker’s and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie’s Bebop musical innovations to the tenor saxophone in the late 1950s. In 1986, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as fictional character (saxophonist) Dale Turner in Bernard Tavernier’s film ‘Round Midnight. Mr. Gordon is the only jazz musician ever to be nominated for that award. The musical score for the film won the Oscar for pianist Herbie Hancock.

A gig in 1962 at Ronnie Scott’s Club in London was a new experience for Dexter and he began to travel and work in Europe. Eventually, he settled in Copenhagen where he lived until his return to the U.S. in 1976. During that period in Europe, he travelled extensively, and worked for long periods at the historic Jazzhus Montmartre. He recorded prolifically for the Blue Note, Prestige, and Steeplechase record labels, among others.

In 1976, Dexter enjoyed a hero’s welcome in the U.S. when he made his return engagement at Storyville in New York City with Woody Shaw, Louis Hayes, Ronnie Mathews, and Stafford James. He subsequently played the Village Vanguard, signed with Columbia Records, and was officially “back in town.” Mr. Gordon’s “Homecoming” sparked a reignition of interest in the Bebop stream of Jazz during this period of the 1970s when fusion and disco reigned supreme. He organized his first working band during this period with George Cables, Rufus Reid, and Eddie Gladden. He considered this band to be his best, toured extensively with them, and recorded Live

at the Keystone (Mosaic) and Manhattan Symphonie (CBS Sony) with the group. He won the Grammy Award for his album The Other Side of ‘Round Midnight.

 

Upcoming concerts:

· Tribute to the Music of Herbie Hancock (May 24),

· Tribute to the Music of Richard Rodgers (April 12),

· Virtuosic Brazilian Classics (July 19).

Contact: John Reid (403) 605-5876, jcreid@ucalgary.ca