Lee Morgan

Biography

Lee Morgan was born on July 10, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and emerged as a prodigious jazz talent from a young age. Receiving his first trumpet as a gift from his sister at age 13, Morgan quickly developed his skills, taking private lessons and performing professionally by age 15. His early influences included the legendary Clifford Brown, who gave him lessons and inspired his stylistic approach. By 18, Morgan was a featured soloist in Dizzy Gillespie's big band, gaining valuable experience and exposure on the international jazz scene.

Morgan's career flourished in the late 1950s and 1960s, particularly through his association with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, where he contributed to landmark recordings such as 'Moanin’.' As a leader, Morgan recorded prolifically for Blue Note Records, blending hard bop with blues, R&B, and later, modal and avant-garde elements. His 1964 composition 'The Sidewinder' became a crossover hit, reaching the pop and R&B charts and cementing his reputation as a leading figure in hard bop. Despite periods of personal struggle, including heroin addiction, Morgan remained an innovative force, known for his emotionally charged playing and technical mastery.

Tragically, Morgan's life was cut short when he was shot and killed by his common-law wife during a performance at Slug's Saloon in New York City on February 19, 1972. His legacy endures through his influential recordings, his role in advancing the hard bop idiom, and his impact on generations of jazz musicians who followed.

Fun Facts

• Morgan's hit 'The Sidewinder' was originally recorded as a filler track and unexpectedly became a pop and R&B crossover hit, even used in Chrysler TV commercials during the World Series without his consent.
• He was politically active in the late 1960s, serving as a leader in the Jazz and People's Movement, advocating for greater representation of Black musicians.
• Morgan's trumpet technique included mimicking human vocal inflections by stuttering, slurring articulations, and using half-valved effects.
• He played both trumpet and alto saxophone in his youth before focusing on trumpet.

Associated Acts

• The Lee Morgan Quintet
• The Lee Morgan Sextet
• The Young Lions

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Clifford Brown - Primary stylistic influence and gave Morgan trumpet lessons as a teenager. (General influence on Morgan's early recordings and style.) [Early 1950s]
• Dizzy Gillespie - Band leader who hired Morgan as a featured soloist in his big band. (Performances with Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, notably 'A Night in Tunisia.') [1956-1958]

Key Collaborators

• Art Blakey - Band leader of the Jazz Messengers, Morgan was a key member and soloist. (Albums such as 'Moanin’', 'The Big Beat', 'A Night in Tunisia.') [1958-1961, 1964-1965]
• Wayne Shorter - Saxophonist and composer, collaborated in the Jazz Messengers and on Morgan's solo projects. ('The Sidewinder', various Jazz Messengers albums.) [Late 1950s-1960s]
• Hank Mobley - Tenor saxophonist, frequent collaborator in both Morgan's and Mobley's bands. (Blue Note sessions, including 'No Room for Squares.') [Late 1950s-1960s]
• Benny Golson - Saxophonist and composer, collaborated in the Jazz Messengers and on Blue Note recordings. (Jazz Messengers albums, Blue Note sessions.) [Late 1950s]
• John Coltrane - Morgan played as a sideman on Coltrane's classic album. ('Blue Train' (1957).)
• Freddie Hubbard - Fellow trumpeter, collaborated on various Blue Note sessions. (Blue Note recordings.) [1960s]

Artists Influenced

• Wynton Marsalis - Marsalis has cited Morgan as a major influence on his trumpet style and approach to hard bop. (Marsalis's hard bop recordings and live performances.) [1980s-present]
• Terence Blanchard - Blanchard has acknowledged Morgan's influence on his phrasing and improvisational style. (Blanchard's Blue Note albums.) [1990s-present]
• Nicholas Payton - Payton has referenced Morgan as a key inspiration in interviews and performances. (Payton's hard bop and post-bop recordings.) [1990s-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Since I Fell For You - Rudy Van Gelder Edition / 2007 / Digital Remaster (Candy (Remastered))
2. I Remember Clifford - Rudy Van Gelder Edition / Remastered 2007 (Volume 3)
3. The Sidewinder - Remastered 1999/Rudy Van Gelder Edition (The Sidewinder (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition))
4. Ceora (Cornbread)
5. All The Way - Rudy Van Gelder Edition / 2007 / Digital Remaster (Candy (Remastered))
6. Since I Fell For You
7. Ca-Lee-So - Remastered 2007/Rudy Van Gelder Edition (Delightfulee)
8. Melancholee - Remastered 2000/Rudy Van Gelder Edition (Search For The New Land (Rudy Van Gelder Edition/2000 Remastered))
9. The Sidewinder (Blue Break Beats)
10. I Remember Clifford

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #bebop, #hard-bop, #jazz