Gordon, Dexter. (1923–1990). "The Apartment" - Signed LP.
Signed LP from the innovative jazz saxophonist, who has signed boldly on the cover of a Japanese pressing of his 1974 album The Apartment, with Kenny Drew, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen and Albert "Tootsie" Heath also signing. Label: STEEPLECHASE RJ-7101; Cover, record and Obi strip all in very fine condition. Autograph obtained 25 September, 1975 according to note in the collector's hand, lower edge.
Album includes the original obi strip (spine card), the piece of paper wrapped around the spine of Japanese LPs, the term obi designating the sash around a kimono (Kimono no obi). Japanese pressings generally feature very high quality vinyl.
The tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon was among the earliest tenor players to adapt the bebop musical language of innovators such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell to his instrument. Known as "Long Tall Dexter" for his height of 6 foot 6 inches, he was also beloved by audiences for his genial stage presence and ability to communicate with his listeners. Gordon's bebop career began in 1940's New York, where he appeared with the Billy Eckstine big band and recorded with Dizzy Gillespie and Sir Charles Thompson, among others. After struggling with heroin and serving jail time in the 1950's, he had renewed success with his album The Resurgence of Dexter Gordon in 1960, signing with Blue Note Records in 1961. He spent much of the 1960's and 1970's in Europe, which he found more welcoming to jazz musicians than the U.S., before returning in 1976.
The support for jazz in Japan has long been immense and also, remarkably consistent. Even during a slump in the United States in the 70's that threatened to put many American jazz labels and musicians out of business, American jazz artists flocked to Japan to perform, with many releasing "Live in Japan" albums, including Miles Davis, Bill Evans and Sarah Vaughan. ''Japan almost singlehandedly kept the jazz record business going during the late 1970's,'' said a producer with Blue Note Records, Michael Cuscuna. ''Without the Japanese market, a lot of independent jazz labels probably would have folded, or at least stopped releasing new material.'' (NY Times "In Japan, Jazz Resurges As a National Passion," 1/7/88)
Gordon, Dexter. (1923–1990). "The Apartment" - Signed LP.
Signed LP from the innovative jazz saxophonist, who has signed boldly on the cover of a Japanese pressing of his 1974 album The Apartment, with Kenny Drew, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen and Albert "Tootsie" Heath also signing. Label: STEEPLECHASE RJ-7101; Cover, record and Obi strip all in very fine condition. Autograph obtained 25 September, 1975 according to note in the collector's hand, lower edge.
Album includes the original obi strip (spine card), the piece of paper wrapped around the spine of Japanese LPs, the term obi designating the sash around a kimono (Kimono no obi). Japanese pressings generally feature very high quality vinyl.
The tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon was among the earliest tenor players to adapt the bebop musical language of innovators such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell to his instrument. Known as "Long Tall Dexter" for his height of 6 foot 6 inches, he was also beloved by audiences for his genial stage presence and ability to communicate with his listeners. Gordon's bebop career began in 1940's New York, where he appeared with the Billy Eckstine big band and recorded with Dizzy Gillespie and Sir Charles Thompson, among others. After struggling with heroin and serving jail time in the 1950's, he had renewed success with his album The Resurgence of Dexter Gordon in 1960, signing with Blue Note Records in 1961. He spent much of the 1960's and 1970's in Europe, which he found more welcoming to jazz musicians than the U.S., before returning in 1976.
The support for jazz in Japan has long been immense and also, remarkably consistent. Even during a slump in the United States in the 70's that threatened to put many American jazz labels and musicians out of business, American jazz artists flocked to Japan to perform, with many releasing "Live in Japan" albums, including Miles Davis, Bill Evans and Sarah Vaughan. ''Japan almost singlehandedly kept the jazz record business going during the late 1970's,'' said a producer with Blue Note Records, Michael Cuscuna. ''Without the Japanese market, a lot of independent jazz labels probably would have folded, or at least stopped releasing new material.'' (NY Times "In Japan, Jazz Resurges As a National Passion," 1/7/88)