Innovative jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon's expansive bop style and melodic improvisations influenced a generation of free-thinking musicians like John Coltrane. The L.A. native honed his craft with jazz greats like Charlie Parker, but personal problems derailed his career as it began to gain momentum. Gordon relocated to Europe in the '60s, where he recorded some of his best LPs. He returned to the States in '76 to enjoy new-found fame as a living connection to the jazz legends of the past, and also earned an Oscar nod for his turn in 'Round Midnight shortly before his death in '90.