Clifford Jordan Blowing In From Chicago CD

This is part of Blue Note's Limited Edition Connoisseur series.

BLOWING IN FROM CHICAGO features tenor saxophonist John Gilmore as a co-leader. After this 1957 session, he spent the rest of his career in Sun Ra's band, hardly ever making any albums under his own name. This adversely affected Gilmore's legacy, since his name has largely been overlooked by younger jazz audiences. However, Gilmore's performance here is first-rate, and is matched by fellow tenor sax player Clifford Jordan. Throughout the record, it's apparent that this pairing of like minds is ideal.

Drummer Art Blakey also asserts himself on this album, especially on the highly rhythmic "Billie's Bounce," a Charlie Parker tune he popularized with the Jazz Messengers. The Latin-flavored Jordan original "Bo-Till" is one of BLOWING IN FROM CHICAGO'S highlights, as is his funky blues number "Evil Eye." This is classic hard bop played by some of its most skillful practitioners.

Clifford Jordan's first date as a leader actually found him sharing a heated jam session with fellow tenor John Gilmore. Backed by pianist Horace Silver, bassist Curly Russell, and drummer Art Blakey, the two saxophonists square off mostly on obscurities (other than Gigi Gryce's "Blue Lights" and "Billie's Bounce"); the original six selections are joined by the previously unreleased "Let It Stand" on the CD reissue. This was one of Gilmore's few sessions outside of Sun Ra's orbit and, if anything, he slightly overshadows the cooler-toned Jordan. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, New Jersey on March 3, 1957. Originally released on Blue Note (1549). Includes liner notes by Joe Segal and Bob Blumethal.

Personnel: Clifford Jordan (tenor saxophone); John Gilmore (tenor saxophone); Horace Silver (piano); Art Blakey (drums).

Audio Remasterer: Rudy Van Gelder.

Liner Note Authors: Joe Segal; Bob Blumenthal.

Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Hackensack, NJ (03/03/1957).

Photographer: Francis Wolff.

Personnel: Clifford Jordan, John Gilmore (tenor saxophone); Horace Silver (piano); Curly Russell (bass); Art Blakey (drums).

Mojo (Publisher) (5/03, p.116) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A fascinating two-tenor blowing session from 1957....The greatest delight from this date is the chance to hear the quirkily imaginative Gilmore in a rare setting outside his regular spot with the Sun Ra Arkestra..."