Education
Jordan studied with Allan Reuss early in life while Reuss was Benny Goodman"s guitarist.
Jordan studied with Allan Reuss early in life while Reuss was Benny Goodman"s guitarist.
He worked in the Will Bradley Orchestra (1939-1941), Artie Shaw (1941-1942), and Teddy Powell (briefly in 1942) before he enlisted in the Navy. Following his term of service he played with Bob Chester, Freddie Slack, Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra, Stan Kenton, Jimmy Dorsey, and Boyd Raeburn. He became a studio musician for National Broadcasting Company and worked often as a freelance sideman after the big band era was over.
He worked with Gene Krupa, Mel Powell, Vic Dickenson, Charles Thompson, Buck Clayton, Ruby Braff, Benny Goodman, Wild Bill Davison, Clancy Hayes, Buddy Tate, Helen Ward, and Editor Polcer.
He held a regular gig in Washington, District of Columbia with Tommy Gwaltney from 1965 to 1972, and was offered the opportunity to succeed Freddie Green in the Count Basie Orchestra but turned it down. Jordan recorded only one session as a leader, a 1972 release on Fat Cat Jazz.
He published a memoir entitled Rhythm Manitoba in 1991.