[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 108 (Wednesday, September 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A SALUTE TO MARLON JORDAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 6, 2006

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, as Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, 
and Chairman of the Jazz Forum and Concert that occurs during the 
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference, 
I rise to salute the achievements of trumpeter Marlon Jordan, a rising 
star in the field of jazz. The following biography is found on Marlon 
Jordan's own web site. It chronicles a career of accomplishment already 
deserving of high recognition, and of this body's thoughtful attention 
and respect.
  Marlon Jordan is the youngest of seven children of musician-educator 
Edward Jordan and Edvidge Jordan, a classical pianist. ``I started out 
playing saxophone, violin and drums,'' says Marlon, ``but the trumpet 
was the instrument that stuck with me.'' Marlon recalls his father 
literally taking him on the bandstand ``even before I really knew how 
to play. He'd introduce me to all the musicians, and they'd call me up 
on the stand. They'd say, `Come on. That's Kidd's son. Let him play.' 
''
  As he continued his musical studies he had the day to day inspiration 
of Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, and many others to draw on. The 
young musicians often hung out at the Jordan household where they would 
practice music with Kent Jordan and take lessons from Edward Jordan. 
Marlon graduated from the famed NOCCA (New Orleans Center for the 
Creative Arts).
  An accomplished classical musician as well, Marlon has performed solo 
with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. But his true joy is his 
constant performance in the streets and nightclubs of New Orleans and 
Brazil.
  His debut album ``For You Only,'' released by Columbia Records was 
the source of unanimous praise from the press. It was named ``one of 
the best debut albums of the year'' by the Washington Post. Following 
the debut album's release, Marlon took his quintet on the road. They 
joined Wynton Marsalis, Miles Davis and George Benson as a headlining 
act in a series of JVC Festival dates (produced by George Wein) in 
Atlanta, Dallas and other cities. They also played in some of the 
country's top jazz clubs, including the Blue Note and the Ritz, as well 
as in concerts ranging from New York's Avery Fisher Hall to Binghamton 
University.
  Marlon understood that his continued growth as a musician depended on 
his ability to stake out his own musical ground, and not just to play 
standards. Following up on his own ideas, he wrote five of the tunes on 
his second Columbia release ``Learson's Return'' (April 1991). 
Following a series of quintet dates immediately following the album's 
release in the spring of '91 (highlighted by a run at the Village 
Vanguard), Marlon joined up with ``Jazz Futures''--George Wein's 
brilliantly-conceived ``supergroup'' of ``Young Lions''--virtually 
playing every major jazz festival and outdoor ``shed'' on the circuit.
  Mr. Speaker, latest release, ``You Don't Know What Love Is,'' 
features his sister, vocalist Stephanie Jordan. Marlon, Stephanie and 
another sister, violinist Rachel Jordan, will be performing together on 
September 7, 2006, at the Jazz Forum and Concert that I will host 
during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 36th Annual 
Legislative Conference. I urge all of you, and those who love real jazz 
to attend.

                          ____________________