Clifford Jordan was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.
Jordan got his start in Chicago in the 1950s, gigging with the likes of Max Roach, Sonny Stitt and a number of rhythm and blues bands. In 1957 he made the move to New York, where he immediately found his groove. He recorded three albums for Blue Note, including a collaboration with John Gilmore, and toured with Horace Silver from '57 to '58, JJ Johnson from '59 to '60, Kenny Dorham ('61-'62) and Max Roach ('62-'64). In 1964 he headed to Europe alongside Eric Dolphy as part of the Charles Mingus Sextet.
Over the years that followed, Jordan worked predominantly as a bandleader, touring Europe several times and joining Cedar Walton's Eastern Rebellion quartet in the mid-'70s. In his later years Jordan led a big band.
Over the course of his career Jordan recorded for labels including Blue Note, Jazzland, Atlantic, SteepleChase, Vortex, Muse, Criss Cross, Bee Hive, DIW, Strata-East, Milestone, Mapleshade and Riverside.
Jordan died on March 27th 1993, aged 61.
