- Was the Godfather of Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich
- His uncredited role in the prison drama "Unchained" is that of a saxophone player in the prison jazz band. The film was shot at the correctional facility in Chino, California, where he was serving time for possession of heroin.
- Suffering from cancer of the larynx at the time of his death.
- Not long after 'Round Midnight (1986), Coca-Cola approached Dexter Gordon about appearing in some television commercials. They changed their mind however, as they felt his skin color was "too white" and not dark enough.
- Jazz saxophonist. Died of kidney failure in Philadelphia at age 67.
- Children: Robin, Deirdre, Mikael Solfors, Benjamin, and Woody Louis Armstrong Shaw.
- Son of Gwendoline Gordon, and Frank Gordon.
- Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1988.
- Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume Two, 1986-1990, pages 341-343. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1999.
- Taught the saxophone; among his students was Hadley Caliman.
- Friends with Melba Liston, Charles Mingus, Illiois Jacquet, and Billy Higgins.
- Has seven grandchildren.
- Grandson of Edward L. Baker.
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