MILES DAVIS - JAZZ PIANIST DUKE JORDAN DIES

JAZZ PIANIST DUKE JORDAN DIES

DUKE JORDAN, a jazz pianist best known for his influential work with saxophonist CHARLIE PARKER in his well-regarded quintet of the 1940s, has died. He was 84. Jordan died on 8 August (06) in Valby, a suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark, according to the US Embassy in the Danish capital. The cause of death has not been revealed. Parker's quintet, which also featured MILES DAVIS on trumpet, MAX ROACH on drums and TOMMY POTTER on bass, worked together form 1946 to 1948. After leaving Parker's band, Jordan played with saxophonists SONNY STITT, GENE AMMONS and STAN GETZ. By the mid-1950s he was leading his own bands and composing music which included JORDU, a popular jazz canon. He also composed part of the soundtrack for the 1959 ROGER VADIM film LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES. Jordan worked mainly in Europe, leading small groups beginning the early 1970s. After visiting Copenhagen in 1973, he settled there in 1978 and remained there until the end of his life.