Saxophonist Clifford Jordan was born on this date in 1931 in Chicago. He attended the famous DuSable High School where his classmates included fellow reed players John Gilmore and Johnny Griffin. Jordan began his professional career leading a dance band, and then began playing in rhythm and blues groups. Later Jordan played bebop with Sonny Stitt and Max Roach.

After relocating to New York City in 1957, Jordan recorded three albums for the Blue Note label, the first of which, “Blowing In From Chicago” featured pianist Horace Silver, drummer Art Blakey along with former classmate and co-leader Gilmore. Shortly thereafter Jordan became a member of Silver’s band, and then co-led a group with trumpeter Kenny Dorham. Jordan recorded as a sideman with J.J. Johnson, Lee Morgan, Eric Dolphy and Joe Zawinul. In 1960, Jordan began performing with pianist Cedar Walton, a collaboration that would continue for the remainder of Jordan's career.

Jordan re-joined Eric Dolphy in 1964 as part of the Charles Mingus Sextet, which toured Europe and produced a number of live albums. Jordan later toured Africa with Randy Weston for the United States State Department. Jordan briefly moved to Belgium in the late 1960s and frequently performed in France, as well.

After returning to the United States, Jordan continued to record prolifically throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including outings with flugelhornist Art Farmer. In the 1990s he led a big band in New York City that performed regularly at Eddie Condon’s jazz club. Jordan died of lung cancer in 1993 at the age of 61.

Here is a link to Jordan and Walton playing together:

"ONE FOR AMOS"