CiTR

In 1962 Lee Morgan was sick, drug addicted and destitute and without a trumpet yet at the beginning of the year he made this extraordinary recording by picking a great band, borrowing a horn and contributing 4 of the 6 tunes heard here. Morgan's story is well known and can be found in his harrowing, and candid biography called "Delightfulee" published by The University of Michigan Press. Despite his chaotic life Lee Morgan never lost his talent nor his playing ability. This album was his only recording in 1962 and it has been critically acclaimed. Morgan picked tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan on the front line plus the great Barry Harris on piano and firebrand Louis Hayes on drums. Four of the six tunes are by Morgan and one by Jordan and one by the legendary pianist/composer Elmo Hope complete the date. The playing is inspired all around and don't forget that Morgan was all of 23!! 1963 proved a better year for Morgan as he met a lady who helped him rebuild his life and career and he recorded "The Sidewinder" for Blue Note...the rest is history until his untimely and tragic death by a shooting in February of 1972. He was only 33 but he had earned his place in Jazz History. Tonight's Feature is an important milestone in Lee's history. "Take Twelve" is a super recording!