Taft Jordan

Taft Jordan (February 15, 1915, Florence, South Carolina – December 1, 1981, New Orleans) was an American jazz trumpeter, heavily influenced by Louis Armstrong.

Jordan played early in his career with the Washboard Rhythm Kings before joining Chick Webb's orchestra from 1933 to 1942, remaining there after Ella Fitzgerald became its frontwoman. Jordan and Bobby Stark traded duties as the main trumpet soloist in Webb's orchestra. From 1943 to 1947 he played with Duke Ellington, then with Lucille Dixon at the Savannah Club in New York City from 1949 to 1953. After this he played less often, though he toured with Benny Goodman in 1958, played on Miles Davis's Sketches of Spain, and worked with the New York Jazz Repertory Company. He recorded four tunes as a leader in 1935, and led his own band in 1960–61, when he recorded LPs for Mercury, Aamco Records, and Swingville.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 15, 1915 (Florence), Died December 1, 1981 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1933 - 1956

Roles Represented in DAHR: trumpet, vocalist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 348 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-99972 10-in. 4/9/1936 It is true what they say about Dixie? Willie Bryant Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BS-99973 10-in. 4/9/1936 All my life Taft Jordan ; Willie Bryant Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet, vocalist  
Victor BS-99974 10-in. 4/9/1936 The right somebody to love Jack Butler ; Willie Bryant Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BS-99975 10-in. 4/9/1936 The glory of love Willie Bryant Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BS-99976 10-in. 4/9/1936 Ride, red, ride Willie Bryant ; Willie Bryant Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor BS-99977 10-in. 4/9/1936 Moonrise on the lowlands Willie Bryant Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor MS-031431 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1939 Tea for two Chick Webb Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor MS-031432 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1939 Crazy rhythm Chick Webb Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor MS-031433 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late Jan. 1939 Blue skies Chick Webb Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D6VB-2095 10-in. 7/9/1946 Transblucency (a blue fog that you can almost see through) Duke Ellington Orchestra ; Duke Ellington Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Victor D6VB-2131 10-in. 9/3/1946 Royal garden blues Duke Ellington Orchestra ; Duke Ellington Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Columbia W152733 10-in. 5/9/1934 I can't dance, I got ants in my pants Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra ; Taft Jordan Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W152735 10-in. 5/9/1934 Why should I beg for love Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W152770 10-in. 7/6/1934 True Chick Webb Orchestra ; Taft Jordan Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W152771 10-in. 7/6/1934 Lonesome moments Chick Webb's Savoy Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W265085 10-in. 3/8/1933 Shuffle off to Buffalo Washboard Rhythm Band Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia W265088 10-in. 3/8/1933 Going! Going! Washboard Rhythm Band Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Decca 38338 10-in. 8/17/1934 Everybody loves my baby Georgia Washboard Stompers instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 38339 10-in. 8/17/1934 Farewell blues Georgia Washboard Stompers instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 38340 10-in. 8/17/1934 High society Georgia Washboard Stompers instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 38341 10-in. 8/17/1934 I can't dance-1 Georgia Washboard Stompers instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 38342 10-in. 8/17/1934 Tiger rag Georgia Washboard Stompers instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 38343 10-in. 8/17/1934 Who broke the lock of the henhouse door Georgia Washboard Stompers instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 38344 10-in. 8/17/1934 Limehouse blues Georgia Washboard Stompers instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 38345 10-in. 8/17/1934 After you've gone Georgia Washboard Stompers instrumentalist, trumpet  
(Results 1-25 of 348 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Jordan, Taft," accessed June 2, 2023, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109773.

Jordan, Taft. (2023). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109773.

"Jordan, Taft." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2023. Web. 2 June 2023.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109773

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