Saxophonist Clifford Jordan epitomized the Chicago tenor sound: Ironically, his rare ability to fit in playing either bluesy hard bop or exploratory avant-garde jazz might’ve been why he doesn’t stand out more among the giants of his era. | Steve Krakow 👇
Jordan was celebrated during his life, and many of his albums remain highly regarded—in terms of recordings, he was one of the most prolific jazz artists of his era. But I don’t think he gets the shine he should, and Margasak agrees: “He doesn’t seem as revered as his cohorts these days,” he wrote. “I think part of the reason for that is that Jordan was a curious and elegant musician who tried on many hats during his career.
Jordan would follow the drivers to their stables. “The black intelligentsia—doctors and lawyers who were sportsmen as well—frequented the stables,” he told Concord, “and that’s where you heard all the good music on the jukebox.” At age 13, Jordan took up the saxophone, and by 16, inspired by his hero Charlie Parker, he’d decided it was his life’s calling.
Jordan’s first gig was at a dance where he led a band for five dollars per musician. Soon he was playing gritty R&B with the likes of bassist-songwriter Willie Dixon, jump-blues journeyman Joseph “Cool Breeze” Bell, and drummer-bandleaders Jack “Cowboy” Cooley and Armand “Jump” Jackson. Jordan found he had to change gears after his relocation. “In New York I never could get the rock and roll gigs or commercial gigs I used to get in Chicago,” he told Concord, “so I was a little disappointed. They made me a specialist—a jazz saxophone player.”
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