Jordan, Cliff: Cliff Jordan (Blue Note Tone Poet) LP

The under-recognized tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan blew in from Chicago in 1957 and recorded a trio of excellent Blue Note sessions over a prolific 8-month span including the self-titled album Cliff Jordan. Jordan’s 2nd date for the label was a generous serving of smoldering bop featuring a robust septet with Lee Morgan on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, John Jenkins on alto sax, Ray Bryant on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. The band stretches out on extended takes of Jordan’s “Not Guilty,” Jenkins’ “St. John,” and Fuller’s “Blue Shoes” before an 18-year-old Morgan takes the spotlight on his tune “Ju-Ba” to close the set.