Clifford Jordan’s Singing Sound Is Stilled

With his majestic tone, drummer-like rhythmic suppleness and ear for euphonious statements, Clifford Jordan--who died last Saturday in New York of cancer at the age of 61--was for 30 years a major figure on the modern jazz horizon.

On tenor saxophone, his primary instrument, Jordan’s low- and middle-range notes were round and gleaming and fat, while his top notes tended to be gritty and colorful, sometimes seeming as if they were split in two. It was often said that he had a sound that sang.

This articulate, quiet-spoken musician, who had a big smile and wonderful, hearty laugh, was both a consummate blues player who could make you shout with his earthiness and a be-bop-bent improviser who delighted the intellect. His driving solos were replete with both long chains of ideas that curved here and there deliciously, and brief, stop-on-a-dime snippets that were startling.

Influenced primarily by Lester Young and Charlie Parker, Jordan, a native of Chicago who long lived in Manhattan, was heard with Horace Silver, Charles Mingus and, toward the end of his life, Art Farmer. He led his own ensembles throughout his career. Three recommended albums that feature Jordan are his own “Down Through the Years” (Milestone), “The Great Concert of Charles Mingus” (Fantasy) and Farmer’s “Blame It on My Youth” (Contemporary).

A tribute concert to the saxophonist is planned for April 25, 1 to 5 p.m., at the Southland Cultural Center, 226 S. Market St., Inglewood. Musicians wishing to perform should call (310) 545-6740.

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Bassist Suffers Heart Attack: Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen, the acclaimed Danish bassist who was due to perform Saturday night at the Jazz Bakery and Sunday at Wheeler Hot Springs in Ojai, suffered a heart attack at his home in Copenhagen late last month. Pedersen, 46, has canceled all his scheduled U.S. appearances, which were to feature saxophonist Lew Tabackin.

“Niels is all right, but he’s been ordered by his physician to rest for two months,” said Ruth Price, owner of the Jazz Bakery. Singer Price will fill in at her establishment on Saturday along with pianist Tom Garvin. No replacement act has been set for Ojai.

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Bay City Debut: Contemporary saxman Najee inaugurates the jazz policy at Night Winds, a new Santa Monica room opening in the same location that for many years housed the nightspot At My Place. Najee performs tonight and Saturday; Wayne Henderson and the Next Crusade, featuring saxophonist Wilton Felder, are in Thursday through next Saturday. Night Winds is located at 1026 Wilshire Blvd. Information: (310) 917-9111.