Vasilis Xenopoulos ‘Dexterity Quartet’ explores the music of the great Dexter Gordon.
Excitement is mounting again at Twickenham Jazz club as we welcome the incomparable Vasilis Xenopoulos to Patchworks stage to present the music of the legendary American saxophonist Dexter Gordon.
Vasilis Xenopoulos
“A Great Asset to the UK Jazz scene” ~ London Jazz News
“Star tenorist Vasilis Xenopoulos has never concealed his admiration for Dexter Gordon, channeling
this formative influence into a vigorous and whole-hearted style of his own. As he says in his note
to this excellent album, “Dexter remains my top inspiration.” Often heard with guitarist Nigel Price,
this is Vasilis on his own terms and in fine fettle. Mature, rewarding, spirited, uplifting: all four
adjectives apply.” ~ Jazzwise Magazine
Beamed down from planet Jazz, Vasilis Xenopoulos is a rare gem in the Jazz Universe.. Personable, accomplished with the inherited intelligence, perception and humour of Sophocles himself. Vasilis is simply a lovely man and a brilliant musician who has earnt incredible love and respect from both musicians and audiences throughout the international Jazz circuit. His Stella Band this evening illustrates this.
Dexter Gordon (27/2/1923 – 25/4/1990)
Dexter Gordon at Mountain Winery Jazz Festival, Saratoga CA 10/4/81 © Brian McMillen www.brianmcmillenphotography.com
‘Long Tall Dexter (He was 6’6”) or ‘The Sophisticated Giant’ as he was called is possibly one of the most influential early BeBop Tenor Saxophonists of his generation.
His colourful life involved drug, alcohol and nicotine addiction and time in jail but his musical legacy still influences musicians today, he played and recorded with many of the great players of the time including, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Bud Powell. In 1986 Dexter was nominated for an academy award for his role in the motion picture ‘Round Midnight’ and apart from his musical genius One of his idiosyncratic rituals was to recite lyrics from each ballad before playing it.
I am not sure if Vasilis will do this on Wednesday 28th June but we are sure to enjoy another wonderful evening in our very special Air Conditioned Theatre and Bar.
We look forward to welcoming you!
