Biography of Clifford Jordan

Tenor saxophonist Jordan was a mainstay in the Chicago jazz school, along with friends and classmates Johnny Griffin and Richard Davis. Jordan switched from piano to tenor sax at 14. He started his career playing in local R&B bands before hitting the road in jazz groups led by Max Roach and Horace Silver. He briefly replaced Sonny Rollins in Roach's 1957 group. He was also a member of J. J. Johnson and Kenny Dorham's ensembles before he reunited with Roach for three more years in the mid 60s. After a short period with Charles Mingus, Jordan spent several years as a soloist and arranger in Europe before becoming an established figure in New York during the 70s. His style, with its big tone and full sound, mixes blues references and total harmonic and melodic control. He's never adopted any of the nuances of the free or avant-garde stylists, yet has recorded many memorable solos over the years. He is an excellent player solidly in the mainstream school. ~ Ron Wynn