Arts for Art & Roulette Intermedium present: A MEMORIAL FOR FREE JAZZ GIANT EDWARD “KIDD” JORDAN
On Monday, June 19th, Arts for Art will present a tribute to Edward “Kidd” Jordan, the great Creative Improvised Music legend from New Orleans. Kidd was a first generation FreeJazz saxophone player who inspired generations of musicians that had the privilege to work with or study under him.
Featuring: Members of the Jordan Family • William Parker • Miriam Parker • Lee Mixashawn Rozie • Jason Kao Hwang • Daniel Carter • James Brandon Lewis • Dave Burrell • Hamid Drake • Isaiah Collier • Rob Brown • Cooper-Moore • Patricia Nicholson • others TBA
Edward “Kidd” Jordan, born May 5, 1935 in Crowley, LA. passed away on April 7, 2023 in New Orleans where he lived all of his adult life. Kidd was an important figure in the Arts for Art/Vision family. He played at the Vision Festival for the first time in 1999. He was awarded for his LifeTime of Achievement in 2008 and he performed at Vision every year through 2019 when he performed a Tribute to his dear friend and fellow artist, the drummer, Alvin Fielder.
He loved all music and was able to support his family playing with most of the great blues and R&B stars who traveled down south. He enjoyed it all, but he loved to play as free as possible, whenever it was possible. This was not easy In New Orleans.
He was absolutely devoted to his community. Over the years, he educated generations of young musicians in the discipline and joy of music including the Marsalis family, Jon Batiste, the musicians from the Treme district like Trombone Shorty and thousands of others. His stated goal “was not to teach them jazz, but to teach them how to play their instrument and then let them go.”
Edward “Kidd” Jordan is someone who can inspire us all. He was a King. Now he is a Legend, an inspiration to all who want to Live with a strong sense of responsibility for family and community and a commitment to all music but most especially the music that is reaching toward the heavens.
Vaccination and masks are strongly recommended but are not required.
A livestream will be available free of charge at 7pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing. Watch below or on YouTube. Please RSVP here.
