Wed December 27, 2023

Dexter Gordon Centennial Celebration

LARRY VUCKOVICH ALL-STAR QUINTET FT. JAMIE DAVIS

Doors: 7:30PM   Show: 8:00PM

Tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon’s unique history holds a special place in jazz. Originally inspired by Lester Young, he is recognized as the main source of transferring Charlie Parker’s bebop revolutionary language from alto to tenor saxophone. John Coltrane and Jimmy Heath started on alto. When they first heard Dexter playing bebop on the tenor, they immediately switched from alto to tenor. Dexter also was an influence on early Sonny Rollins. Larry had great fortune of working Dexter in Denmark, at the famous Jazz Club, Café Montmartre, and later at the International Music Forum in Ossiach, Austria in ‘69 – an all-star quintet featuring Dusko Goykovich and Philly Joe Jones. For Yoshi’s December 27th performance, he has assembled an exceptional quintet: A two tenor frontline of Steve Heckman & Craig Handy, plus a swinging rhythm section with Larry on piano, Buca Necak, bass and Jeff Minnieweather, drums. Singing some of Dexter’s favorite ballads will be the exceptional vocalist, Jamie Davis. This will be a program to be remembered – the only one presented in the Bay Area. Don’t miss it!