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American jazz guitarist (1919–1993) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steve Philip Jordan (January 15, 1919[1] – September 13, 1993)[2] was an American jazz guitarist.
Steve Jordan | |
---|---|
Born | New York City, U.S. | January 15, 1919
Died | September 13, 1993 74) Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. | (aged
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation | Guitarist |
Jordan was born in New York City.[1] He considered himself a rhythm guitarist whose biggest influences were George Van Eps and Allan Reuss.[3] He received lessons from Reuss, who played rhythm guitar for Benny Goodman[4] In the early 1940s Jordan was a member of bands led by Will Bradley, Artie Shaw, and Teddy Powell.[3] After serving with the Navy in World War II, he returned to music as a member of bands led by Bob Chester, Freddie Slack, Glen Gray, Stan Kenton, Jimmy Dorsey, and Boyd Raeburn.[3]
When jobs for rhythm guitarists disappeared as big bands dwindled, Jordan became a studio musician for NBC.[3][4] During the 1950s, he worked with Gene Krupa, Mel Powell, Vic Dickenson, Charles Thompson, Buck Clayton, Ruby Braff, and Benny Goodman.[3] In the 1960s, he earned a living as a tailor, but from 1965 to 1972 he performed routinely with Tommy Gwaltney at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C.[3] His last job as sideman was with DC area band leader/drummer Brooks Tegler where he played strictly rhythm guitar for eight years and recorded two CD's ("Keep Em Flying" and "And Not Only That!"),[5] with Tegler, in that capacity. He was offered a job replacing Freddie Green in the Count Basie Orchestra, but he rejected it because he said he was too old to tour again.[3][4] His memoir, Rhythm Man, was published in the early 1990s.[3][4] Here Comes Mr. Jordan was his only album as a leader.[3]
With Ruby Braff
With Buck Clayton
With others
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