On April 25, 1990, legendary jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon died of kidney failure in Philadelphia at the age of 67. Known for his towering stature and equally commanding sound, Gordon was one of the first tenor saxophonists to embrace bebop in the 1940s. His collaborations with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell helped shape modern jazz. Later in life, he earned an Academy Award nomination for his acting in Round Midnight (1986), where he portrayed a character inspired by his own life. Dexter Gordon’s influence spans generations, and his deep tone and lyrical improvisations remain iconic in jazz history.
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