Jordu (Clifford Brown’s version)

Harold Land (tenor sax), Clifford Brown (trumpet), Richie Powell (piano), George Morrow (bass) and Max Roach (drums). From the album Clifford Brown & Max Roach (1954).

Richie Powell was Bud Powell's younger brother and had a promising future as a pianist. Although his style was heavily influenced by bebop, he was finding his own way. He died in the same traffic accident as Clifford Brown. Powell played in the bands of Paul Williams and Johnny Hodges before joining the quintet of Clifford Brown and Max Roach.

George Morrow will always be remembered for being the bassist of the quintet. He was a good accompanist before he was a great soloist. He played with several important musicians in Los Angeles. Then he moved to San Francisco, where he continued playing with the best musicians. When the quintet had to be restructured, he remained in it until 1958. Since then he has played not major role in the world of jazz.

The theme has a medium-low tempo. At first it seems calm, but thunder is unleashed on the bridge. First Brown starts his solo full of jumping notes and quick phrases that demonstrate his mastery of the instrument. Then Land enters with the delicacy that characterizes him and develops his solo with tranquility. Then Powell comes in measuring his sentences carefully. The saxophone returns to exchange four-bar solos with the drums taking turns with the trumpet, and then they release Roach to let his imagination run free until the re-exposure of the theme arrives.