Lee Morgan

Lee Morgan was a trumpeter whose hard bop recordings and crossover hit “The Sidewinder” established him as a leading voice of 1960s jazz. The trumpeter’s discography demonstrates extensive productivity across more than 600 releases, from teenage prodigy sessions through mature modal explorations. Born Edward Lee Morgan in Philadelphia to Otto Ricardo and Nettie Beatrice Morgan, he initially showed interest in vibraphone before receiving a trumpet from his sister Ernestine on his thirteenth birthday. Morgan studied briefly with Clifford Brown and became a professional musician at fifteen. At eighteen, he joined Dizzy Gillespie’s Big Band (1956), remaining for eighteen months until economic circumstances forced the band’s dissolution in 1958.

Morgan began recording for Blue Note in 1956, eventually completing twenty-five albums as leader for the label. “Introducing Lee Morgan” (1956) with Hank Mobley’s Quintet featured Hank Jones, Doug Watkins, and Art Taylor. Early leader sessions included “Indeed!” (1957), “Vol. 3” (1957), “The Cooker” (1958), and “Candy” (1958). John Coltrane’s “Blue Train” (1957) featured Morgan playing an angled-bell trumpet given to him by Gillespie. Joining Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in 1958, Morgan contributed to the classic “Moanin’” album and persuaded Blakey to hire Wayne Shorter when Benny Golson departed. The Jazz Messengers lineup with Bobby Timmons and Jymie Merritt recorded “Africaine,” “The Big Beat,” “A Night in Tunisia,” and “The Freedom Rider” (1959-1961). Morgan composed “The Midget,” “Haina,” “Celine,” and other tunes during this period.

Drug problems led to Morgan’s departure from the Jazz Messengers in 1961, with a return to Philadelphia for recovery. Returning to New York in 1963, Morgan recorded “The Sidewinder” (1964), whose title track became a surprise pop and R&B crossover hit and served as background music for Chrysler television commercials during the World Series. “Search for the New Land” (1964) reached the top twenty of R&B charts. After a second stint with Blakey (1964-1965), Morgan led his own groups, recording prolifically for Blue Note while appearing as sideman with McCoy Tyner, Hank Mobley, Jackie McLean, and Wayne Shorter. Morgan became a leader in the Jazz and People’s Movement (1970-1971), protesting the lack of jazz representation on television programs. On February 19, 1972, Morgan was shot by his common-law wife Helen Moore at Slug’s Saloon in New York’s East Village. Heavy snowfall delayed the ambulance, and Morgan died at age thirty-three.