Introduction: Lee Morgan and his youth
Lee Morgan was born on March 1, 1937, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was one of five children. His father played the violin and his mother the piano.
He grew up in a house with lots of music, and wanted to be like his parents.
Lee Morgan is an American jazz trumpeter and composer who has had a strong influence on jazz music. Lee Morgan is best known for his work with the Jazz Messengers, which he joined at the age of 17, and for composing “The Sidewinder”.
In 1957, Lee Morgan joined the Benny Goodman Orchestra as trumpeter. In 1960, he left Benny Goodman to join the John Coltrane Quartet as flugelhorn player and composer/arranger, having played with them at Carnegie Hall that year.
In 1965, Lee Morgan left the John Coltrane Quartet to form his own quintet with pianist Bobby Timmons, guitarist Kenny Burrell, bassist Jymie Merritt and drummer Billy Higgins in response to what he felt was a lack of opportunities for black musicians in the jazz world. Although the quintet was not commercially successful, it was considered one of the most important groups in modern jazz, and many critics regard their first album together (In Person) as a masterpiece. Lee Morgan died of cardiac arrest on October 12, 1972, after playing at a concert in Guild.
Lee Morgan’s first album as a jazz artist
Lee Morgan’s first album as a jazz artist marked a milestone in jazz history. It was the first time a jazz artist had released an album on the Blue Note label.
In this album, Lee Morgan plays trumpet and is accompanied by musicians such as Hank Jones, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, Jimmy Cobb and Art Blakey. “Lee Morgan at Basin Street” has a tougher, more aggressive style than the jazz album “The Sidewinder”. This album is notable for its cover art by legendary jazz photographer William Claxton. The album was recorded on June 30, 1956. Richie Unterberger’s Allmusic magazine awarded the album 4 stars and declared “This is a wonderful batch of jazz standards from the pen of Jerome Kern that has been skillfully recreated by Gordon Jenkins”. Recorded in June 1957, the original master was lost for decades until it was found in the vaults of Abbey Road in 1983.
Lee Morgan records and albums
Lee Morgan had a long and fruitful career as a trumpeter and composer.
He had his first recording session in 1952 with Dizzy Gillespie’s Big Band, and went on to record with Miles Davis on “Walkin ‘” (1963) and “Sketches of Spain” (1960).
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He also recorded with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver, Bobby Timmons, Thelonious Monk, Max Roach and many other jazz greats. In 1963, he joined Blue Note Records as leader for the Prestige label, recording ten albums as leader. In 1965, he was invited to play with Miles Davis. He performed at the Newport Jazz Festival and the Monterey Jazz Festival. He also played alongside Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson and Bud Powell in the 1960s. In 1968, he toured Europe on a U.S. State Department cultural exchange program . He recorded six albums with Art Blakey and Horace Silver’s Jazz Messengers. In 1969, he began playing vibraphone exclusively. In 1970, he joined the Charles Mingus Orchestra and became a member of his touring band in 1971. He recorded ten albums with Mingus. In 1972, he recorded two albums for Impulse Records as part of The Composers Unit. In 1973, he began playing soprano saxophone exclusively, before returning to baritone saxophone in 1974. In 1975, he became a founding member of the Ravi Coltrane Quartet. In 1978, he received a Grammy Award for his album “The Space Trio”.
Lee Morgan recorded over 40 albums and composed more than 50 songs. He died in 1972 at the age of 33 when he was shot dead by his common-law wife, Helen Moore, in a New York club called Slugs Saloon.
Lee Morgan’s late career and other musical activities
Lee Morgan’s career was cut short by his death in 1972 at the age of 33. He was scheduled to play that evening with Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers at Slug’s Saloon in Manhattan. The accident occurred as he was about to take a train to Philadelphia to join Bobby Timmons’ band for a concert there on February 20.
Conclusion: Lee Morgan’s legacy for future generations
Lee Morgan was a jazz musician and trumpeter who was born in Philadelphia on March 10, 1943, and died at the age of 33. He has been credited with influencing the sound of jazz as well as other genres of music.
He had a troubled childhood, which left him with a difficult personality. Lee’s father abandoned his family when he was just one year old. His mother worked several jobs to support her children, often leaving them alone for long periods. Lee’s older brother introduced him to music by playing records by Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie around the house. It was here that Lee discovered his passion for jazz music and began learning to play the trumpet at an early age. Lee Morgan’s legacy lives on in his recordings, which are considered some of the most important jazz records ever made. Lee Morgan was born on January 18, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois. His father abandoned his family when he was just one year old. His mother worked several jobs to support her children, often leaving them alone for long periods. Lee’s older brother introduced him to music by playing Louis Armstrong records,