Kidd Jordan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kidd Jordan
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Kidd Jordan at Luscher School
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edward Jordan |
| Born | May 5, 1935 Crowley, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Origin | New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | April 7, 2023 (aged 87) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Saxophonist, music educator |
| Instruments | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1950s–2023 |
Edward "Kidd" Jordan (born May 5, 1935 – died April 7, 2023) was an American jazz saxophonist. He was also a respected music teacher from New Orleans, Louisiana. He taught at Southern University at New Orleans for many years, from 1974 to 2006.
Contents
Early Life and Music
Kidd Jordan was born in Crowley, Louisiana. He grew up in an area where rice farming was very important. He often said that the music around him was "strictly Zydeco and Blues." These were the sounds he listened to as a child.
Learning to Play
Kidd Jordan started playing the C-melody and alto saxophone. In high school, he played with older musicians. He loved the music of Charlie Parker, a famous jazz saxophonist. Jordan learned Parker's songs by reading music and also by listening carefully.
A musician named Illinois Jacquet first gave him the idea of playing music without a plan, called free improvisation. But it was the "free jazz" of Ornette Coleman that really inspired him. This style involves musicians making up music as they go, without sheet music.
College and Early Career
Jordan studied music education at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He originally wanted to play classical music on the alto saxophone. In 1955, he moved to New Orleans. There, he started playing many R&B shows. He performed with famous artists like Ray Charles and Big Maybelle. He enjoyed the special feeling of playing the blues.
A Master of Many Instruments
Kidd Jordan played many types of saxophones. These included the tenor, baritone, soprano, alto, C-melody, and sopranino saxophones. He also played the contrabass clarinet and bass clarinet. He preferred playing "outside" music, or free improvisation, on the tenor saxophone.
He played and recorded with many musicians. His music ranged from R&B to a style called avant-garde jazz, which means very new and experimental jazz. Some of the artists he worked with include Stevie Wonder, R.E.M., and Ornette Coleman. In 2008, he received a special award for his lifetime of musical achievements.
Improvised Music
Kidd Jordan's music was almost always improvised. He once explained, "Everything you hear on my albums is improvised." This means he made up the music on the spot with other musicians. He never wrote down his ideas anymore.
Teaching and Awards
In 1985, the French government honored Jordan. They named him a Knight (Chevalier) of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. This was a very high artistic award. It recognized his important work as a visionary teacher and performer.
Inspiring Students
Jordan taught many young musicians. He taught Donald Harrison and Branford Marsalis when they were teenagers. He also taught at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA). As a jazz studies teacher at Southern University, he encouraged his students to try new ways of playing traditional music. One of his students, Charles Joseph, later helped start the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Jordan even wrote a song for them called "Kidd Jordan's Second Line."
Later Life and Legacy
In 2006, a big storm called Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Jordan lost his home and most of his belongings. A few weeks later, he recorded an album called Palm of Soul in New York. He later returned to New Orleans.
In 2010, Kidd Jordan was added to The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. His music was also featured in the TV show Treme in 2011. He even made a short appearance on the show.
Kidd Jordan passed away on April 7, 2023, at the age of 87. He had seven children, and he taught music to all of them. Many of his children became talented musicians themselves. His son Kent Jordan is a jazz flautist. His son Marlon Jordan is a jazz trumpeter. His daughter Stephanie Jordan is a jazz singer. His daughter Rachel Jordan is a classical violinist.
Discography
Kidd Jordan released many albums throughout his career. Here are some of them:
As a Leader or Co-Leader
- New Orleans Festival Suite (1999)
- Kidd' Stuff
- The All-Star Game (2003)
- Live at the Tampere Jazz Happening 2000 (2004)
- Palm of Soul (2006)
- On Fire (2011)
- On Fire Volume 2 (2012)
- A Night in November (2013)
- Trio and Duo in New Orleans (2013)
- Last Trane to New Orleans (2020)
As a Sideman (playing with other artists)
- With Larry Williams: Bad Boy
- With Professor Longhair: Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge
- With The Improvisational Arts Quintet: No Compromise!
- With Hamiet Bluiett: The Clarinet Family
- With Johnny Adams: Good Morning Heartache
- With Joel Futterman: Revelation, New Orleans Rising, The Joel Futterman / 'Kidd' Jordan Trio with Alvin Fielder-Southern Extreme
- With William Parker: Essence of Ellington (2012)
- With Alan Silva: Emancipation Suite (2002), Alan Silva & the Sound Visions Orchestra (2001), H.Con.Res.57/Treasure Box (2003)
- With R.E.M.: Out of Time
- With Fred Anderson: 2 Days in April (2000), 21st Century Chase (2009)
- With World Saxophone Quartet: Yes We Can (2010)
