born Feb. 27, 1923, Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.
died April 25, 1990, Philadelphia, Pa.
U.S. tenor saxophonist, one of the most influential saxophonists in modern jazz.
Gordon played in the big bands of Lionel Hampton and Billy Eckstine in the early 1940s, later working in small groups with Charlie Parker , Tadd Dameron, and fellow tenorist Wardell Gray. He was incarcerated on narcotics charges in the early 1950s and moved to Denmark in 1962. A starring role in the film 'Round Midnight (1986) revived his career.