Jazz at Highschool

Personnel: Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone); Dexter Gordon; Kenny Drew (piano); Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen (double bass); Al Heath, Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums).
Liner Note Author: Steve Schein.
Recording information: Magleaas Highschool, Denmark (08/05/1967).
Dexter Gordon is represented by a large discography, though the late '60s are little documented. The discovery of this previously unissued radio broadcast from 1969 is a real treasure, as the tenor saxophonist is in superb form, accompanied by some of his favorite musicians: pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. He revisits "Soy Califa," an original written for a Blue Note session earlier in the decade; this hard bop vehicle opens the show with a flourish. Gordon and Drew share the spotlight in a sensitive treatment of "The Shadow of Your Smile." His loping blues "Society Red" features Pedersen's incredible solo work, while "The Blues Up and Down" (co-written by fellow tenor saxophonists Sonny Stitt and Gene Ammons) works perfectly well for Gordon without a sparring partner on his instrument. Beautifully recorded with excellent balance between the musicians and an attentive, respectful audience, it should be considered a mandatory purchase for hard bop fans. ~ Ken Dryden