Dexter Gordon - Homecoming

Live At The Village Vanguard 

"Homecoming", featuring the famous American tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon, was recorded live at the famed New York jazz venue the Village Vanguard over the course of two evenings, December 11 and 12, 1976. The original release was a double album. Dexter had just signed with Columbia, a major American record label and this recording coincided with his return to America after over a dozen years in Europe. Dexter had supporting him the Woody Shaw-Louis Hayes group, a group he had already spent some time working with. The personnel consisted of Woody Shaw on trumpet and flugelhorn, Ronnie Matthews on pano, Stafford James on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. This was no slap-dash affair; as indicated earlier Dexter had already spent some time working with the supporting musicians, and prior to the week long engagement at the Village Vanguard (during which this album was recorded), rehearsals began. The result was an exhilarating performance, deeply steeped in the "bop" tradition of jazz. Of the eight tracks on the records (each side has two tracks), two are Dexter's compositions, two are Woody's compositions, and one was written by the pianist Ronnie Matthews. The other tracks were well known compositions suited to extended performances. The band drives hard behind the soloists, and everyone seems to recognize this is an important event (no coasting allowed). Dexter is in fine form, and seems ecstatic to be back home. According to the notes, he received a rapturous welcome as well. Good, solid, live jazz played with passion and verve.