Clifford Jordan

Clifford Jordan Quartet - Live at Ethell's (1987) {Mapleshade Records MS 56292 rel 1993}
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© 1987, 1993 Mapleshade Records | MS 56292
Jazz / Straight-ahead Jazz / Post Bop / Saxophone

Tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan never seemed to record an uninspired album. This Mapleshade CD, cut live at a Baltimore club, matches Jordan with pianist Kevin O'Connell, bassist Ed Howard and drummer Vernel Fournier. In addition to four standards (including "Lush Life" and "'Round Midnight"), Jordan performs Stanley Cowell's "Cal Massey" and three of his own straight-ahead but diverse originals. Excellent advanced straight-ahead jazz from an underrated great.

Clifford Jordan - Cliff Jordan (1957) {Blue Note RVG Japan TOCJ-7182 rel 2008}
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© 1957, 2008 Blue Note / EMI Music Japan | TOCJ-7182
Jazz / Hard Bop / Saxophone

One of the great lost ones from Blue Note – hard to find in any pressing, and a killer hardbop session from the days when the label could crank them out with a quality unmatched by other labels! Clifford Jordan's leading an unusual group here – a septet, which is a bit of a change from his smaller combos – with Lee Morgan on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, John Jenkins on alto, Ray Bryant on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Taylor on drums! At first glance, the lineup might look like more of an unstructured blowing session – but there's a lot more cohesion here than you'd guess – kind of an under-recognized chapter of Jordan's early musical vision, and one that marks him right away as a visionary leader as much as the tenor talent he was known for.

Clifford Jordan - Bearcat (1962) {Jazzland OJCCD-494-2 rel 1990}
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© 1961-62, 1990 Jazzland Records / Fantasy | OJCCD-494-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Saxophone

This CD is a straight reissue of the original Jazzland LP. Tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan, who is joined by pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Teddy Smith and drummer J.C. Moses, is heard in his early prime and displays an original tone while playing in the hard bop style. He stretches out on five of his swinging and fairly advanced originals, "How Deep Is the Ocean," and Tom McIntosh's "Malice Towards None." It would be 1973 before Jordan had another opportunity to be showcased in a quartet format, making this formerly rare set one of his best all-around recordings.

Clifford Jordan's first date as a leader actually found him sharing a heated jam session with fellow tenor John Gilmore. Backed by pianist Horace Silver, bassist Curly Russell, and drummer Art Blakey, the two saxophonists square off mostly on obscurities (other than Gigi Gryce's "Blue Lights" and "Billie's Bounce"). This was one of Gilmore's few sessions outside of Sun Ra's orbit and, if anything, he slightly overshadows the cooler-toned Jordan.

Clifford Jordan & The Magic Triangle - On Stage, Volume 3 (1975) {SteepleChase SCCD31104 rel 1994}
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© 1975, 1994 SteepleChase | SCCD31104
Jazz / Hard Bop / Post Bop / Saxophone

This final installment of a 1975 concert in Amsterdam finds tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan in fine form, joined by Cedar Walton, Sam Jones, and Billy Higgins. The set includes an extended workout of Jones' "Seven Minds," Sonny Rollins' calypso favorite "St. Thomas" (which is marred somewhat by problems with the master tape), and two enjoyable works by Walton. Like the previous two volumes, this one is also recommended.

Clifford Jordan - Two Tenor Winner (1985) {Criss Cross Jazz Criss1011CD rec 1984}
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© 1985 Criss Cross Jazz | Criss 1011 CD
Jazz / Hard Bop / Saxophone

Clifford Jordan and Junior Cook make for a perfectly compatible team on this 1984 CD. While assisted by pianist Kirk Lightsey, bassist Cecil McBee, and drummer Eddie Gladden, the very distinctive tenors inspire each other on originals, obscurities, Charles Davis' "Half and Half," and "Groovin' High." High-quality hard bop with a bit of competitiveness resulting in some fiery moments.

Happily, Blue Note Records and Michael Cuscuna have reissued this wonderfully relaxed recording, which dates from a very fertile period of the renowned jazz label's history. Tenor saxman Jordan was influenced by and shares influences with Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane and Hank Mobley; the early inspiration of Lester Young can also be heard. On this date, the selection of tunes is pleasantly balanced between three originals, two bebop standards, and Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady." Trumpeter Art Farmer's playing is up to his usual high standard - thoughtful, sensitive and technically brilliant. Pianist Sonny Clark is captured during the most prolific phase of his ten-year recording career; together with bassist George Tucker and drummer Louis Hayes, they create a solid, swinging and simpatico rhythm section.