Sophisticated Giant

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.

Sophisticated Giant
Studio album by Dexter Gordon
Released	1977
Recorded	June 1977
Genre	Jazz
Length	45:39
Label	Columbia
Producer	Michael Cuscuna
Dexter Gordon chronology
Homecoming: Live at the Village Vanguard (1977) Sophisticated Giant (1977) Manhattan Symphonie (1978)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[2]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[3]

The Bay State Banner wrote that "Slide Hampton's library of duets, solos, rhythm, harmony, and intense ensemble choruses have variety, but also a consistent deployment of moods and gambits."^[4]

AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow called the album "an excellent acquisition."^[1]

Track listing

Side one

1. "Laura" (David Raksin) – 7:37
2. "The Moontrane" (Woody Shaw) – 6:36
3. "Red Top" (Lionel Hampton, Ben Kynard) – 8:51

Side two

1. "Fried Bananas" (Dexter Gordon) – 7:53
2. "You're Blasé" (Ord Hamilton, Bruce Sievier) – 9:49
3. "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

1. Yanow, Scott. Dexter Gordon: Sophisticated Giant at AllMusic. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
2. Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 584. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
3. Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 88. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
4. Freedberg, Mike (1 Dec 1977). "Record Reviews". Bay State Banner. No. 8. p. 18.