Dexter Gordon is considered to be the first be-bop tenor player. Born in Los Angeles in 1923, he started playing the clarinet at 13, the alto sax at 15 and the tenor at 17.

Dexter Gordon would sometimes recite the lyrics of a tune before playing it. In an interview at the end of the album “American Classics” he says, “When you know the lyrics to a tune, you have some kind of insight as to its composition. if you don’t understand what it’s about, you’re depriving yourself of being really able to communicate this poem.”

I like the his relaxed way of playing. This video is from 1971.