Trumpeter/Composer Joe Gordon: "Lookin' Good!"

CiTR -- The Jazz Show

This is the third Jazz Feature on underrated and under recorded trumpeters. Boston born Joe Gordon started young and worked with Georgie Auld, locals Charlie Mariano, Jaki Byard and toured with Lionel Hampton. He was also first call when Charlie Parker played in Boston. Gordon moved to New York in 1954 and worked and recorded with Art Blakey and joined Dizzy Gillespie's big band and toured the Middle East and recorded with Dizzy. He also played with pianist Horace Silver then seemed to disappear. He emerged in L.A. in 1959 and became first call Jazz trumpeter and worked with Harold Land, Wes Montgomery and recorded with Thelonious Monk. Joe's real fame came when he joined drummer Shelly Mann'e Quintet and toured Europe and recorded many albums. Shelly's Quintet was one of the great groups in Jazz history. Tonight's album was done in 1961 and was only Joe's second under his name however it not only featured his crackling and fiery trumpet but 8 of his compositions He appears here with alto saxophonist Jimmy Woods making his recording debut. Dick Whittington is on piano, Jimmy Bond on bass and the swingin' Milt Turner on drums. "Lookin' Good!" was Joe's last recording as he died in a house fire in November of 1963 at age 35. Check out Joe Gordon tonight, you'll be glad you did!