The first of three volumes taken from the 1975 Zurich Jazz Festival features tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon (with his reliable sidemen pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Alex Riel) stretching out on "Tenor Madness," "Wave," "You've Changed" and "Days of Wine and Roses." All of the performances are at least ten minutes long and there are some rambling moments, but in general, the music is quite rewarding. This was one of Dexter Gordon's prime periods.
The second of three CDs taken from Gordon's appearances at the 1975 Montreux Jazz Festival showcases the veteran tenor in peak form. With strong support from the talented rhythm section (pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen and drummer Alex Riel), Dexter is particularly exciting on a nearly 15-minute version of "There Is No Greater Love," "Wave" and Thelonious Monk's "Rhythm-A-Ning"; the latter two songs were issued for the initial time on this six-song CD reissue. Dexter Gordon is heard throughout at his best.
The third of three CDs taken from tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon's appearances at the 1975 Zurich Jazz Festival has more variety than the other two. There are previously unissued versions of "Tenor Madness" and "Days of Wine and Roses" (the latter has a guest appearance by trumpeter Joe Newman), tender ballad renditions of "Didn't We" and "Sophisticated Lady," an effective vocal by Gordon on "Jelly Jelly," and a rollicking rendition of "Rhythm-A-Ning." With pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Alex Riel offering strong support, Dexter Gordon is heard in enthusiastic, hard-swinging form.
Swiss Nights, Vol. 1
Side One:
A1 Tenor Madness (10:44)
A2 Wave (10:48)
Side Two:
A3 You've Changed (10:23)
A4 Days Of Wine And Roses (13:00)
Personnel:
– Dexter Gordon - tenor sax
– Kenny Drew - piano
– Niels-Henning Ørsted Pederson - bass
– Alex Riel - drums
Recorded live at The Zurich Jazz Festival '75, Switzerland, August 23, 1975
Recording & mixing engineer – Helmuth Kolbe (Phonag Tonstudio)
Originally released in 1976 by SteepleChase Records (Denmark), LP - SCS-1050
Swiss Nights, Vol. 2
Side One:
A1 There Is No Greater Love (15:00)
A2 Sticky Wicket (05:40)
Side Two:
B1 Darn That Dream (09:42)
B2 Montmartre / The Theme (09:53)
Personnel:
– Dexter Gordon - tenor sax
– Kenny Drew - piano
– Niels-Henning Ørsted Pederson - bass
– Alex Riel - drums
Recorded live at The Zurich Jazz Festival '75, Switzerland, August 23 & 24, 1975
Recording & mixing engineer – Helmuth Kolbe (Phonag Tonstudio)
Originally released in 1978 by SteepleChase Records (Denmark), LP - SCS-1090
Swiss Nights, Vol. 3
Side One:
A1 Jelly, Jelly, Jelly (14:00)
A2 Didn't We (09:45)
Side Two:
B1 Sophisticated Lady (10:15)
B2 Rhythm-A-Ning (11:20)
Personnel:
– Dexter Gordon - tenor sax, vocal (A1)
– Kenny Drew - piano
– Niels-Henning Ørsted Pederson - bass
– Alex Riel - drums
with:
– Joe Newman - trumpet (A1)
Recorded live at The Zurich Jazz Festival '75, Switzerland, August 23 & 24, 1975
Recording & mixing engineer – Helmuth Kolbe (Phonag Tonstudio)
Originally released in 1979 by SteepleChase Records (Denmark), LP - SCS-1110
