Rodney Jordan's 'Memphis Blue' featured on WBGO's New Day New Play April 7-11

WBGO | By Gary Walker

Published April 4, 2025 at 11:25 PM EDT

Rodney Jordan Memphis Blue — Rodney Jordan's Memphis Blue

Bassist Rodney Jordan was born and raised in Memphis. His early bass playing in church rooted the foundation for his rich and soulful sound, which for some years has been featured as part of pianist Marcus Roberts' Trio. With Memphis Blue, Rodney salutes the soulful people of Memphis, with fellow Memphian trumpeter Melvin Jones, Mark Sterbank on tenor sax, pianist Louis Heriveaux and drummer Quentin E. Baxter. Memphis Blue includes originals by Jordan and Jones, standards by Gigi Gryce, Johnny Mercer and Mulgrew Miller, along with optimistic expressions toward the creative spirits of Roy Hargrove and Art Blakey.

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Gary Walker

In jazz radio, great announcers are distinguished by their ability to convey the spontaneity and passion of the music. Gary Walker is such an announcer, and his enthusiasm for this music greets WBGO listeners every morning on Daybreak. He's the winner of the 1996 Gavin Magazine Jazz Radio Personality of the Year Award and the recipient of the 2021 Marian McPartland-Willis Conover Award for Career Achievement in Broadcasting from the Jazz Journalists Association. Gary hosts the morning show each weekday from 8am til noon. And, by his own admission, he's truly having a great time.

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