CLIFFORD JORDAN
The Adventurer (32 Jazz)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

---

Clifford Jordan gained a well deserved reputation as one of the better sidemen in jazz during notable tenures with Max Roach and Charles Mingus, which put him in the leader's chair where he largely remained until his death in 1993. This reissue of a 1978 Muse release finds him in front of a particularly strong quartet, with Tommy Flanagan on piano, Bill Lee on bass and Grady Tate on drums.

It's a fine straight bop workout. Half the tunes are Jordan originals, along with Charlie Parker's "Quasimodo" and a pair of tunes culled from Billy Holiday's book. Jordan switches from his primary tenor to alto or flute as the song requires and displays great taste and tone on each instrument.

Clifford Jordan never truly received the attention he deserved as a leader, and if his work somehow escaped your attention, this is a great place to start making up for lost time.

Track List:

He's A Hero * Quasimodo * No More * Blues For Muse * Adventurer * I'll Be Around

© 2000 - Shaun Dale