Dexter Gordon was one of the most stylish of Jazz players throughout the decades. His tall six-foot five frame combined with his style of playing gave him an air of calm authority. Add to this his stylish appearance (nobody knew how to wear a suit better then Dexter Gordon, not even Miles Davis) and it is easy to see that this was a man who stood out from the crowd. Dexter Keith Gordon was a middle class child from Los Angeles who learned his trade in local big bands and, by the age of 17, played with Lionel Hampton.