One Breath Rising, dedicated to presenting arts in the African American tradition, joins 440 Gallery for their fourth season on Sunday, September 8 at 4:40pm. Maxine Gordon will be reading from Sophisticated Giant: The Life and Legacy of Dexter Gordon, her recent biography of her late husband, tenor saxophonist and Academy Award-nominated actor Dexter Gordon. Maxine is an independent scholar with a lifetime career working with jazz musicians. Reading like a jazz composition, Sophisticated Giant is a blend of research, anecdote, and selections from Dexter’s personal letters that reflects his colorful life and legendary times. The passionate words will resonate with lovers of both music and visual art, especially when joined by the emotionally-charged paintings by Amy Weil, currently on exhibit. Perhaps it may become clearer why acclaimed trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie said to Dexter Gordon, “Man, you ought to leave your karma to science.”

Please join us the second Sunday of every month for 440 Gallery’s jazz and spoken word series curated by Darryl Alladice.

Suggested donation $10.