Miles Willis

Sophisticated Giant: The Life and Legacy of Dexter Gordon by Maxine Gordon (University of California Press)

Miles Willis

Do you remember your first Dexter Gordon moment? Did his bold, brash, relentlessly swinging playing grab you by the ears and refuse to let go? That jubilant tenor saxophone sound is Gordon’s most obvious legacy. However, in this new biography by his widow Maxine, we find that there’s much more to know and appreciate about … Read More

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Live Review: 14th Annual DC Jazz Festival

Miles Willis

The DC Jazz Festival encompasses every quadrant of the nation’s capital. Between June 8 and 17 of this year, it presented more than 125 performances in over 40 venues throughout the district. There were also “Meet the Artist” interviews and all-star tribute concerts to honor recently deceased Washingtonians Geri Allen and Keter Betts, as well … Read More

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