Credits:

Dexter Gordon

Description:

Dexter Gordon returned to the U.S. in 1976 after cutting short his long European career, but he continued to travel to Europe often. This is a live performance from a return visit to Paris in 1977, and is of course his first appearance. Al Haig, Pierre Michero, and Kenny Clarke performed with him, but what is most remarkable is that this is the only recording of Dexter Gordon and Al Haig performing together. Pierre Michero and Kenny Clarke had been performing together since Clarke's first visit to France in 1949, and especially after Clarke settled in Paris in 1955, they worked as the house rhythm section of the "Blue Note" club as a famous duo, and it is no exaggeration to say that they were almost always together. In 1963, they also played together on Dexter's Blue Note recording "Our Man In Paris". Al Haig, on the other hand, disappeared from the scene after 1965, but made a brilliant comeback with "Invitation" (Spotlite), recorded in London in 1974 (Kenny Clarke's name is also on it), and released a series of albums thereafter. The band continued to release albums. On September 23, 1977, he recorded "Al In Paris" (Musica), a duo album with Pierre Michero in Paris, and two days later, Al Haig and Dexter Gordon met for the first time at this concert.The four musicians were so relaxed that it was hard to believe that Dexter Gordon and Al Haig were meeting for the first time, and they gave a wonderful performance with just the right amount of tension. Dexter's soprano saxophone, which is rarely heard, can be heard on two of the recordings, but it is surprisingly tight and fresh, perhaps due to the modal nature of the music, without the hawkishness of the tenor saxophonist.

Tracklisting:

1.Sticky Wicket
2.A La Modal
3.Body And Soul
4.Antabus
5.Oleo
6.'Round Midnight (ボーナストラック)