Taft Jordan (1915–1981) was an American jazz trumpeter from Florence, South
Carolina. He began with the Washboard Rhythm Kings before joining Chick Webb’s
orchestra in 1933, alternating with Bobby Stark as the band’s main trumpet
soloist and staying on when Ella Fitzgerald assumed leadership. In 1943 he
joined Duke Ellington’s band, playing on The Carnegie Hall Concerts: December
1944. Jordan recorded as a leader in 1935 and issued albums such as The Moods of
Taft Jordan (Mercury, 1959) and Mood Indigo!!! Taft Jordan Plays Duke Ellington
(Moodsville, 1961). He toured with Benny G...