Taft Jordan born 15 February 1915

He was born James Taft Jordan  in Florence, South Carolina, United States.He studied baritone horn in Norfolk, Virginia, took up the trumpet and first worked professionally in Philadelphia (1929). After recording with the Washboard Rhythm Kings and the Washboard Rhythm Band(1932) he joined the orchestra of Chick Webb in 1933. In the band Jordan and Bobby Stark traded duties as the main trumpet soloist. 

Chick Webb's Band  circa 1937

Jordan was heavily influenced by Louis Armstrong. In fact, his recording of "On the Sunny Side of the Street" was so close to Armstrong's live show that when Armstrong got around to documenting it the following year, some listeners thought he was copying Jordan.. After Webb’s death in 1939 he remained with the orchestra, now led by Ella Fitzgerald, until 1942. During this period Jordan gradually developed an original sound of his own, incorporating into his playing growls in the manner of Roy Eldridge and glissandos and half-valve effects like those of Rex Stewart. 

He worked as a leader in Harlem and for four years (from1943) played with Duke Ellington, then during the following years he worked with Lucille Dixon’s Orchestra at the Savannah Club in New York City from 1949 to 1953. But his recordings with Ellington are acknowledged to be his best; among the most representative of his style is “Jam-a-ditty” (1946) on which he plays an explosive solo break followed by an improvised chorus. 

Taft Jordan can be seen in the 1959 black and white group portrait of 57 notable jazz musicians photographed in front of a brownstone in Harlem, New York City. The photo has remained an important object in the study of the history of Jazz. In the 1960’s he worked in New York as a freelance and occasionally as the leader of a quintet. He also performed with the Duke Ellington Jazz Society at Town Hall(1963) and from 1964 he belonged to the pit orchestra of the musical Hello Dolly! 

Taft Jordan 1970

He continued to work as a freelance in the 70’s. in particular with Earle Warren at the West End. He died December 1, 1981 aged 66 in New Orleans , Louisiana.  

(Edited from the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz with help from Wikipedia & AllMusic)