Jordan

Duke Jordan, who played regularly with the Charlie Parker Quintet in 1947, was long known as a superior bebop pianist whose style was touched by the genius of Bud Powell's innovations. This quintet album, also featuring trumpeter Dizzy Reece and the young tenor Stanley Turrentine, gave Jordan an opportunity to record six of his originals and, although none became as well-known as his "Jordu," the music has plenty of strong melodies and variety. This is one of Duke Jordan's better recordings and is quite enjoyable. This reissue include "Diamond Stud" and "I Should Care" as bonus tracks.

This 1997 concert marked the first time that vocalist Sheila Jordan and bassist Cameron Brown had performed live as a duo. Nerves aside, they had their Belgian audience captivated from the opening of the set. Jordan improvises much like a horn with her interesting choices of notes as she sings the lyrics to standards like "The Very Thought of You," while Brown is also a superb musician, comping perfectly for her and launching on inventive solo flights of his own.

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.

After what can only be described as a smashing debut with the hit-filled MCA Nashville album Home State, Jordan Davis returns with this six song, self-titled EP. Considered a more personal look into Davis’s life as a new husband, the songs that make up the EP definitely seem to confirm that thought. While they are personal to Jordan Davis’ own life, what makes the songs even better is that they’re relatable to everyone else and like a good song will do, they allow the listener to find themselves within the lyrics.