Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / March 28, 1978, edition 1 / Page 4
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Page Four .. J; The sun shines, the grass turns green, the flowers bloom, and . . . women with sun tan lotion, bathing suits and beach towels head out to "Binford Beach." Jazz Corner Dexter Gordon ■ Sophisticated Giant In the mid-forties Dexter Gordon translated the stun ning alto innovations of Charlie Parker to the tenor saxaphone as J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding did to the trombone, Pettiford and Brown to the bass, later Milt Jackson to vibes and so on. Gordon was one of the first capable and progressive enough to realize the myriad implications of Parker's eclectic and simul taneously unique inventions, and that contributions can never be minimized. Gordon also incoporated the conver sation of another giant of the age, Lester Young, into his Jazz vocabulary thereby creat ing an original tenor language in a manner not unusual to Jazz, a music synthetic and original int he sense that all its innovations are founded upon traditional ground. Thai language matured and event ually Gordon's work helpec evolve another movement by influencing its founder, John Coltrane, to no small extent. The music of Dexter Gordon is not, however, merely a historical reference point, a nostalgia to be framed and hung, confined to the walls of some dusty museum. It not only lives but propsers and Dexter's successful debut, following a fifteen year hiatus in Europe, away from an envi ronment that consistently denies support to serious art in favor of the product of fadish, obtuse businessmen, perhaps qualifieds him as a Jazz phenomena of "77" for his return rejuvenated interest in a certain Jazz form and Jazz in general as evidenced by the huge crowds that appeared for his homecoming at Storyville and then the Village Vanguard. The two albums recorded since his return. Homecoming and Sophisticated Giant, emphasize the growth of Gordon's music during the European tenure. The first 1.p., a live recording from those exciting nights at the Vanguard, features Dexter with Louis Hayes Woody Shaw Quartet thgat formerly fronted Rene McLean. The music performed might be loosely termed "Modern Bop." Of the tunes released several were uptempo Matthews and Shaw compo Matthews and Shaw compo sitions interpersed with blues given very modern treatment as well as with ballads, a song structure Gordon is particularly adept at exploring. The later 1.p.. Sophisticated Giant, finds Gordon in a differ ent and extremely difficult setting - the meticulously arranged big band context - Happily Gordon and company are able to transcend the problems intrinsic to big band formula. The album t>egins with a standard, "Laura," character ized by a somewhat lush, sluggish Slide Hampton arrangement, yet Gordon's big, warm tone cuts through the sound, salvaging the arrange ment. Shaw's driving "The Moontrane" features well constructed solos by Gordon and Shaw, both continually referring to the melodic motif bridging the sections. The sideis conlcuded with a fast-paced "Red Top," Hutchenson and Benny Bailey both interpreting the tune with a blues-gospel feeling and spirit while Dexter adds a sophisiticated statement to the Lionel Hampton compo sition. The Guilfordian Side two begins with a boppish, mid-tempo Gordon tune entitled "Fried Bananas!" Gordon's solo drives the band without resorting to wasted words and motion, reminiscent of Young's brevitized state ments as well as those of vintage Sonny Rollins. The melody of the second tune, "Your Blase," a ballad, is stated, reshaped then summed up by Gordon in a brilliant display of virtuosity that does not fail to express an honest emotional quality often foreign to musicians of such technical proficiency. The Gordon composition over composition (improvisation being basically melodic recom position from a common harmonic base) is matched admirably by a George Cables piano solo in which he empha sizes the importance of silences as well as interjecting lyrical speech between the horn choir exhortations, without impeding the rhythmic pulse. "How Insensitive" concludes the album. The haunting minor melody, built around as syncopated bass line insinuat ing Latin American rhythms, is well rendered by Gordon. Hampton's arragnement here, as with "The Moontrane" and "Your Blase," is excellent as he avoids the problems apparent in "Laura" of over crowding. The album needs no more summation than to say Dexter's home, and the Jazz world is better for it. Ken Harris Send a Tribute By CARE A way to heighten the sig nificance of Mother's Day greetings through CARE's special gift cards, was an nounced today by Frank L. Goffio, executive director of the internaitonal aid and devel opment agency. "A contribution to CARE in honor of your mother, or any woman dear to you," Mr. Goffio explained, "will provide the poorest of the poor mothers and their families overseas with life-saving food, medical aid, health and nutrition education. Your gift will not only help them survive; it will also supply tools, equip ment, materials and know how for families to work their way out of poverty and become self-supporting. To grow more food. To build schools, water systems, health and nutrition center. To work tow ard a better future for them selves and especially for their children." "Your gift will make a world of difference," Mr. Goffio said. "For example $5 serves 400 children a glass of forti- Only Another Ordinary Organization? By CARRIE HACKM AN How would you like - as the saying goes - to get involved?! "Oh no! not another club" you moan. "But this is differ ent!" is the reply. The matter at hand is one of a service organization of the Guilford community. The idea of such a group has long been in the minds of many people and it is now hoping to become a reality. A service organization which would include such activities as volunteer work at nursing homes and hospitals, big brother - big sister pro grams, raising money for charity, work with the blood mobile, holding a special Olympics, helping needy people on a local level by supplying food for a Thanksgiving dinner, fixing up an old house or painting one for someone who cannot themselves. The sky is the limit. March 29, 1978 fied milk; $lO provides 60 children with a bowl of porridge day after day for a month; sls builds space for two chil dren in a school; $25 or more provides nourishing food for thousands of children and training fo groups of farmers to help them grow more food. "Your mother will receive an attractive CARE card noti fying her of your special tri bute, or the card can be mailed to you. The card is also appropriate for mothers of friends, mothers-in-law, grandmothers, wives for any woman who has been a mother." Donations can be sent to Mother's Day Plan, CARE, 2581 Piedmont Road, N.E. Room 23-A, Atlanta, Georgia 30324. Give you name and address and that of each woman honored. If you wish cards mailed directly, indicate how each is to be signed. Make checks out to CARE. Mail early to assure card deliveries in time for Mother's Day, May 14. At present this is all just an idea and to become a reality there is need for a dedicated core of people to help develop the scope, aim and structural design for such an organiza tion. All of you who have worked as volunteers, etc. are needed; ideas and people dedicated to helping others and thereby bettering them selves. There will be a meeting next Tuesday evening, April 4 at 9 p.m. in the Passion pit for all of those interested. Students, Faculty, and staff please come! This is to be a community project and your ideas at least are needed. If you cannot attend this time and have any suggestions or do not wish to join but have some ideas - please drop a note to P.O. Box 17230 or get in touch with Carrie Hackman, rm. 10 Mary Hobbs. Come and help show that Guilford really does carel
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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March 28, 1978, edition 1
4
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