Joe Jordan (musician)
Encyclopedia
Joe Jordan was an African American
musician and composer. Jordan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, grew up in St. Louis, Missouri
, and received musical training at the Lincoln Institute (now Lincoln University
) in Jefferson City, Missouri
.
, Sam Patterson
, and Louis Chauvin
in a singing four piano act. In 1902, he went to New York City
to collaborate with Ernest Hogan
, known in show business as "The Unbleached American".
At the beginning of the 20th century, much of the entertainment industry was founded upon the exploitation of ethnic stereotypes. Hogan's big hit was called "All Coons Look Alike To Me", and the stage show that he and
Jordan cooked up was "Rufus Rastus". Another example of the prevalent racial thematic was "Dandy Coon",
created by Chauvin and Patterson in 1903. Jordan stage-managed and directed the music for this bit of
minstrelsy, which toured with a cast of thirty including a "beautiful octoroon chorus".
When the show disbanded in Des Moines, Iowa
, Jordan left for Chicago. He began performing at the Pekin, a former casino/saloon at 27th and State that had been converted into a beer garden by Robert T. Motts. This location became the "Pekin Theater Stock Company" featuring many African American performers.
at organizing and directing the Memphis Students, a group of seventeen African-American men and women who were not students, nor were they from Memphis. In the spring of 1905, they premiered at Proctor's 23rd Street Theater.
James Weldon Johnson
said that this "playing-singing-dancing orchestra" was "the first modern jazz band ever heard on a New York stage". Instrumentally, the ensemble contained saxophones, brass, banjos, guitars, mandolins, piano and drums. Later in 1905, they played Paris
, London
, and other major European cities. Jordan composed "Rise and Shine", "Oh, Liza Lady", "Goin' To Exit", and "Dixie Land" for this group. He also wrote the "J.J.J. Rag".
Back in Chicago, Motts' establishment was developing into an all-purpose entertainment center, known locally as the Pekin Temple of Music. In 1906 Motts expanded his operation by erecting the Pekin Theatre right on top of the existing "Temple". With the opening of the enlarged Pekin (one of America's first African-American-owned theatres) on 31 March 1906, the South Side of Chicago began to transform itself into a launching pad for the jazz explosion of 1915-1925. Jordan conducted the 16-piece house orchestra and served as composer and musical director, all for a weekly salary of $25.
In New York, Jordan wrote a couple of songs for Ada Overton Walker
, first "Salome's Dance" and then in 1909 "That Teasin' Rag". Its main theme was used by The Original Dixieland Jazz Band on their 1917 recording the "Original Dixieland One Step". When Jordan heard the record, he filed suit. All copies of the records were recalled, and the label was changed to include the phrase "introducing ‘That Teasin' Rag' by Joe Jordan".
and J. Rosamond Johnson
on The Red Moon, a Broadway operetta
which broke Jim Crow convention by having persons of color perform serious romantic songs, expressing realistic human emotion. This was something apparently not permitted, especially outside of New York City. In 1910, Jordan wrote "Lovie Joe" for Fanny Brice
. Barred as a black man from entering the theater where Brice premiered the song, Jordan was forced to stand outside on the pavement and heard the public demanding eight encores.
in 1911 with King and Bailey's Chocolate Drops. On his way back he performed his way through England
. Landing at the Pekin in Chicago once again, he resumed his duties there for about three years. His songs dating from this period include "Dat's Ma Honey Sho's Yo' Born", "Oh Say Wouldn't It Be a Dream" and "Brother-In-Law Dan". He did very well in Chicago's real estate market, and in 1917, he built the J. Jordan Building at the corner of 36th and State. In 1918-19, he was assistant director and financial advisor for Will Marion Cook
's New York Syncopated Orchestra.
In 1928, Jordan conducted a band made up of Jabbo Smith
, Garvin Bushell
, James P. Johnson
, and Thomas "Fats" Waller in the musical revue Keep Shufflin. Jordan's touring band was called the Ten Sharps and Flats. He conducted the Federal Theatre Project
's Negro Unit Orchestra in New York during the 30's. From 14 April to 20 June 1936, Jordan worked with Johnson, Porter Grainger
, and Asadata Dafora
providing music for the Federal Theatre Project production of Shakespeare's Macbeth
directed by Orson Welles
at the New Lafayette Theatre
. In 1939, Jordan led a symphony orchestra augmented by a 350-voice chorus at Carnegie Hall
.
He composed songs in collaboration with W. C. Handy
, led military bands during World War II
and ran a successful real estate business in Tacoma, Washington, where he died on 11 September 1971.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
musician and composer. Jordan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, grew up in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, and received musical training at the Lincoln Institute (now Lincoln University
Lincoln University (Missouri)
Lincoln University, a historically black college, is located in Jefferson City, Missouri. In 2007, according to U.S. News and World Report, Lincoln University was ranked #3 for economic diversity, #5 for campus ethnic diversity, and #9 for most international students among master's level...
) in Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City is the capital of the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Cole County. Located in Callaway and Cole counties, it is the principal city of the Jefferson City metropolitan area, which encompasses the entirety of both counties. As of the 2010 census, the population was 43,079...
.
Early life
In 1900, young Joe performed as fiddler and percussionist with the Taborian Band of St. Louis. He also appeared with Tom TurpinTom Turpin
Thomas Million John Turpin was an African-American composer of ragtime music.Tom Turpin was born in Savannah, Georgia, a son of John L. Turpin and Lulu Waters Turpin. In his early twenties he opened a saloon in St...
, Sam Patterson
Sam Patterson
Sam Patterson was the second head football coach for the Southern Illinois Salukis in Carbondale, Illinois and he held that position for the 1917 season. His overall coaching record at SIU was 2 wins, 2 losses, and 0 ties. This ranks him 18th at SIU in terms of total wins and sixth at SIU in...
, and Louis Chauvin
Louis Chauvin
Louis Chauvin was an American ragtime musician.Born in St. Louis, Missouri of a Mexican Spanish-Indian father and an African American mother, he was widely considered the finest pianist in the St. Louis area at the turn of the century...
in a singing four piano act. In 1902, he went to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to collaborate with Ernest Hogan
Ernest Hogan
Ernest Hogan was the first African American entertainer to produce and star in a Broadway show and helped create the musical genre of ragtime....
, known in show business as "The Unbleached American".
At the beginning of the 20th century, much of the entertainment industry was founded upon the exploitation of ethnic stereotypes. Hogan's big hit was called "All Coons Look Alike To Me", and the stage show that he and
Jordan cooked up was "Rufus Rastus". Another example of the prevalent racial thematic was "Dandy Coon",
created by Chauvin and Patterson in 1903. Jordan stage-managed and directed the music for this bit of
minstrelsy, which toured with a cast of thirty including a "beautiful octoroon chorus".
When the show disbanded in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, Jordan left for Chicago. He began performing at the Pekin, a former casino/saloon at 27th and State that had been converted into a beer garden by Robert T. Motts. This location became the "Pekin Theater Stock Company" featuring many African American performers.
The "Pekin Theater Stock Company"
Jordan commemorated this hot spot with the "Pekin Rag", published in 1904. He briefly returned to St. Louis in order to play the Faust Restaurant at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Now known as an expert at rapid orchestration on demand, Jordan returned to New York in 1905 to work with Ernest Hogan and James Reese EuropeJames Reese Europe
James Reese Europe was an American ragtime and early jazz bandleader, arranger, and composer. He was the leading figure on the African American music scene of New York City in the 1910s.-Biography:...
at organizing and directing the Memphis Students, a group of seventeen African-American men and women who were not students, nor were they from Memphis. In the spring of 1905, they premiered at Proctor's 23rd Street Theater.
James Weldon Johnson
James Weldon Johnson
James Weldon Johnson was an American author, politician, diplomat, critic, journalist, poet, anthologist, educator, lawyer, songwriter, and early civil rights activist. Johnson is remembered best for his leadership within the NAACP, as well as for his writing, which includes novels, poems, and...
said that this "playing-singing-dancing orchestra" was "the first modern jazz band ever heard on a New York stage". Instrumentally, the ensemble contained saxophones, brass, banjos, guitars, mandolins, piano and drums. Later in 1905, they played Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and other major European cities. Jordan composed "Rise and Shine", "Oh, Liza Lady", "Goin' To Exit", and "Dixie Land" for this group. He also wrote the "J.J.J. Rag".
Back in Chicago, Motts' establishment was developing into an all-purpose entertainment center, known locally as the Pekin Temple of Music. In 1906 Motts expanded his operation by erecting the Pekin Theatre right on top of the existing "Temple". With the opening of the enlarged Pekin (one of America's first African-American-owned theatres) on 31 March 1906, the South Side of Chicago began to transform itself into a launching pad for the jazz explosion of 1915-1925. Jordan conducted the 16-piece house orchestra and served as composer and musical director, all for a weekly salary of $25.
In New York, Jordan wrote a couple of songs for Ada Overton Walker
Ada Overton Walker
Aida Overton Walker , also billed as Ada Overton Walker and as "The Queen of the Cakewalk", was an African-American vaudeville performer and wife of George Walker. She appeared with her husband and his performing partner Bert Williams, and appeared in groups such as Black Patti's Troubadours...
, first "Salome's Dance" and then in 1909 "That Teasin' Rag". Its main theme was used by The Original Dixieland Jazz Band on their 1917 recording the "Original Dixieland One Step". When Jordan heard the record, he filed suit. All copies of the records were recalled, and the label was changed to include the phrase "introducing ‘That Teasin' Rag' by Joe Jordan".
"The Red Moon" With Cole and Johnson
Also in 1909, Jordan collaborated with Bob ColeBob Cole (composer)
Robert Allen "Bob" Cole was an American composer, actor, playwright, and stage producer and director.In collaboration with Billy Johnson, he wrote and produced A Trip to Coontown , the first musical entirely created and owned by black showmen. The popular song La Hoola Boola was also a result of...
and J. Rosamond Johnson
J. Rosamond Johnson
John Rosamond Johnson , most often referred to as J. Rosamond Johnson, was an American composer and singer during the Harlem Renaissance. Johnson is most notable as the composer of Lift Every Voice and Sing which has come to be known in the United States as the "Black National Anthem"...
on The Red Moon, a Broadway operetta
Operetta
Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English-language works, to forms of musical theatre.-Origins:...
which broke Jim Crow convention by having persons of color perform serious romantic songs, expressing realistic human emotion. This was something apparently not permitted, especially outside of New York City. In 1910, Jordan wrote "Lovie Joe" for Fanny Brice
Fanny Brice
Fanny Brice was a popular and influential American illustrated song "model," comedienne, singer, theatre and film actress, who made many stage, radio and film appearances and is known as the creator and star of the top-rated radio comedy series, The Baby Snooks Show...
. Barred as a black man from entering the theater where Brice premiered the song, Jordan was forced to stand outside on the pavement and heard the public demanding eight encores.
European Tours and "Keep Shufflin'"
Jordan went to GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 1911 with King and Bailey's Chocolate Drops. On his way back he performed his way through England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Landing at the Pekin in Chicago once again, he resumed his duties there for about three years. His songs dating from this period include "Dat's Ma Honey Sho's Yo' Born", "Oh Say Wouldn't It Be a Dream" and "Brother-In-Law Dan". He did very well in Chicago's real estate market, and in 1917, he built the J. Jordan Building at the corner of 36th and State. In 1918-19, he was assistant director and financial advisor for Will Marion Cook
Will Marion Cook
William Mercer Cook , better known as Will Marion Cook, was an African American composer and violinist from the United States. Cook was a student of Antonín Dvořák and performed for King George V among others...
's New York Syncopated Orchestra.
In 1928, Jordan conducted a band made up of Jabbo Smith
Jabbo Smith
Jabbo Smith, born as Cladys Smith was a United States jazz musician, known for his hot virtuoso playing on the trumpet....
, Garvin Bushell
Garvin Bushell
Garvin Bushell was an American woodwind multi-instrumentalist.Though never a major name in jazz, Bushell had a lengthy career from the music's early era, to the avant garde of the 1960s.-Biography:Bushell was born in Springfield, Ohio...
, James P. Johnson
James P. Johnson
James P. Johnson was an American pianist and composer...
, and Thomas "Fats" Waller in the musical revue Keep Shufflin. Jordan's touring band was called the Ten Sharps and Flats. He conducted the Federal Theatre Project
Federal Theatre Project
The Federal Theatre Project was a New Deal project to fund theatre and other live artistic performances in the United States during the Great Depression. It was one of five Federal One projects sponsored by the Works Progress Administration...
's Negro Unit Orchestra in New York during the 30's. From 14 April to 20 June 1936, Jordan worked with Johnson, Porter Grainger
Porter Grainger
Porter Grainger was an African-American pianist, songwriter, playwright, and music publisher.-Biography:...
, and Asadata Dafora
Asadata Dafora
Austin Dafora Horton widely known as Asadata Dafora was a Sierra Leonean multidisciplinary musician. He was one of the first Africans to introduce African drumming music to the United States, beginning in the early 1930s...
providing music for the Federal Theatre Project production of Shakespeare's Macbeth
Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath. It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and is believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607...
directed by Orson Welles
Orson Welles
George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
at the New Lafayette Theatre
Lafayette Theatre (Harlem)
The Lafayette Theatre, also known as "the House Beautiful," was an entertainment venue located at 132nd Street and 7th Avenue in Harlem, New York. It was the first New York theater to desegregate, as early as 1912. Here, African-American theatergoers were allowed to sit in orchestra seats instead...
. In 1939, Jordan led a symphony orchestra augmented by a 350-voice chorus at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
.
He composed songs in collaboration with W. C. Handy
W. C. Handy
William Christopher Handy was a blues composer and musician. He was widely known as the "Father of the Blues"....
, led military bands during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and ran a successful real estate business in Tacoma, Washington, where he died on 11 September 1971.
External links
- Joe Jordan at jass.com
- http://beinecke.library.yale.edu/LetItResound/art_rmt_jordan_j.htmlJoe Jordan at Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript LibraryBeinecke Rare Book and Manuscript LibraryYale University's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library was a 1963 gift of the Beinecke family. The building was designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft of the firm of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, and is the largest building in the world reserved exclusively for the preservation of rare books...
] - List of works by Joe Jordan at Grainger.de