Dexter sound

[Tears June]

How you descript Dexter Gordon's tenor sound ? Dark, round, thick & rich? If not talking about technique, just setup, what modern horn, MP & reed you think can make similar sound with Dexter ?

:cry:

[SteveZ]

Well, Dex has a big, dynamic sound with plenty of overtones. I wouldn't say it's a fat tone (say, like Stanley Turrentine), but it's definitely powerful and rich. Medium bright--Not dark like Lester Young.

His setup in the late 50's early 60's was a Conn 10M w/ a dukoff brass hollywood mouthpiece. Later he changed to a Mk vi w/ STM Link.

As far as setups go, get a well-adjusted, tight, (no leaks) free-blowing horn with a mouthpiece that has a big chamber and maybe a tiny bit of baffle, and you should be in the ballpark. Then, it's up to you.

8)

[BayviewSax]

Beautiful is the best descriptor for Dex. Don't know how much equipment could get you there, seeing as nobody has ever successfully emulated the big man's sound. I'd guess a bigger belled horn would help.

[jpcltscusn]

NOBODY BUT NOBODY places the changes better than Dexter.

[michaelbaird]

Listen to "you've changed" or "body and soul." He plays through the horn better than anybody.

[kennyj]

Dexter Gordon possessed the most incredible sound. When I was coming up, I was a Coltrane guy. Couldn't get enough Coltrane. Coltrane, Coltrane, Coltrane. Loved the man and his music, and still do. But one day in '76 Dex came home. I heard him at the Showcase in Chicago right after the "Homecoming" gig at the Vanguard. The first set changed my life, forever! I caught every set, all week, missing a week of college, but I learned more that week than anytime in my previous experience. Now I'm a confirmed Dex-aholic. After hours of listening to tunes, Zoot, Getz, Woods, Michael B, you-name-them, and they are wonderful, and I love them, when the silence hits, I hear Dexter in my soul.

Now, the Dexter sound. Was it his Conn 10M with the hollywood Dukoff? But he sounded the same, really, on his Selmer with the Link! That sound WAS Dexter! He heard it, and produced it. Others who know, who can hear, often tell me that they can tell I'm trying to replicate Dex's sound, but it is just that - an imitation, and not near the depth of beauty that he played. It's the sound.......the sound.....

ii-V-I
kenny j

[michaelbaird]

I wish someone would tell me they thought I was immitating him. Listen to "hi-fly" from "Gotham City"

[Tenorsaxer]

As far as setups go, get a well-adjusted, tight, (no leaks) free-blowing horn with a mouthpiece that has a big chamber and maybe a tiny bit of baffle, and you should be in the ballpark. Then, it's up to you.

8)

What a frikky-dikky coincidence. I love Dex's sound and I was going for that in the new mouthpiece I ordered. It's the same design that you described. Sweet.

[Subtone Sam]

I would say Dexter's sound was "heavy".
I read somewhere that he said that he was looking for a "heavy-weight" sound,maybe meaning a highly personal sound like Lester Young,Hawkins etc.

[michaelbaird]

Dexter was also refered to as having an "angry tenor" sound or was just another "angry tenor."