Duke Jordan
Piano Solo on
The Hymn

About

Duke Jordan's piano solo is the 3rd of 4 on this recording, spanning two choruses at approximately 320 BPM. Set within a swinging rhythmic framework, the 12-bar Blues form and the key of B♭, the solo tests the player's command at high velocity. Positioned between Miles Davis and Tommy Potter, Jordan bridges the conversation between the two. This is one of the more demanding performances from the October 1947 Savoy session and showcases the quintet's ability to swing with conviction at the extreme upper limits of tempo. Few tempos are as unforgiving, requiring total command of the instrument to maintain musical coherence.

Duke Jordan was 24 to 25 years old at the time.