Biography of Lee Morgan

This amazing trumpet firebrand was in the top echelon among hard-bop players. Besides his great range, Morgan's lines and solos were bristling and intense. He often utilized slurs or bent notes and delivered retorts and rhythmic phrases that were unforgettable. Morgan joined Dizzy Gillespie's big band as an 18-year-old in 1956. Then two years later he became one of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers during a pivotal era, when Benny Golson was the music director. Morgan's elastic, exuberant solos made him a headline. He got some pop action with the 1964 hit "The Sidewinder," his most popular composition. He became a consistent attraction on Blue Note in the 60s and early 70s before being killed by an ex-girlfriend at a night club. ~ Ron Wynn