Sophisticated Giant is a jazz album by saxophonist Dexter Gordon recorded in 1977 by an eleven-piece band playing tunes arranged by trombone player Slide Hampton. The album marked Gordon's return to the United States after a long residency in Europe.

Reception

AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars and called it "An excellent acquisition."

Sophisticated Giant

Track listing

Side one

"Laura" (David Raksin) – 7:37

"The Moontrane" (Woody Shaw) – 6:36

"Red Top" (Lionel Hampton, Ben Kynard) – 8:51

Side two

"Fried Bananas" (Dexter Gordon) – 7:53

"You're Blasé" (Ord Hamilton, Bruce Sievier) – 9:49

"How Insensitive" (Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes) – 4:53

All tunes arranged by Slide Hampton

Recorded June 21 & 22, 1977 at Sound Ideas, NYC by William Wittman

Personnel

Dexter Gordon — tenor and soprano saxophone

Frank Wess — alto saxophone, flute, piccolo

Woody Shaw — trumpet, flugelhorn

Benny Bailey — lead trumpet, flugelhorn

Slide Hampton — trombone

Wayne Andre — lead trombone

Howard Johnson — tuba, baritone saxophone

Bobby Hutcherson — vibes

George Cables — piano

Rufus Reid — bass

Victor Lewis — drums

Technical

William Wittman — engineer, recording, mixing

References

1977 albums

Dexter Gordon albums

Albums produced by Michael Cuscuna

Columbia Records albums

Sophisticated Giant