Jordan, Duke

▪ 2007

Irving Sidney Jordan 

      American jazz pianist (b. April 1, 1922, New York, N.Y.— d. Aug. 8, 2006, Valby, Den.), first became noted during the heyday of bebop as a member of Charlie Parker's classic late 1940s quintet and then enjoyed a long career as a lyrical soloist. After displaying his rhythmic and harmonic sophistication in Parker's 1947 masterpieces, the often-recorded Jordan accompanied Stan Getz, Sonny Stitt, and Gene Ammons, among others, and led his own trios. “Jordu” and “Flight to Jordan,” which he composed in the 1950s, became jazz standards; he also composed part of the sound track to Roger Vadim's 1959 film Les Liaisons dangereuses. Moving to Denmark in 1978 revitalized Jordan's career, and he went on to record over two dozen albums and work with top European and American players.

* * *