The funeral service for Edward "Kidd" Jordan was a beautiful tribute to a remarkable man who touched the lives of many. Family, friends, colleagues, and former students gathered to pay their respects to a man who was not only an extraordinary musician, but also a beloved family man, educator, friend, and mentor.
As the service came to a close, there was a sense of both sadness and celebration in the air, as people said their final goodbyes, and joined the Traditional Jazz Funeral Second Line for a man who had truly made a difference in the world.
NEW ORLEANS, LA (April 12, 2023) – Edward Kidd Jordan, the legendary improvisational saxophonist and music educator, was called home on April 7, 2023 surrounded by his loving family at the age of 87. He was the youngest child of the late Leonard Jordan and the late Pauline Pete Jordan. He was the much-loved brother to his six older siblings who preceded him in death; Mama Johnie, Adam, Yancy, Felton, Sammy and Paul who died in infancy.
He was the devoted husband to his sweetheart Edvidge Chatters Jordan for 69 glorious years. Their loving spirit flowed throughout their home and into the lives of their seven children; Edward Jordan Jr., Kent Jordan, Christie Jordan Bibbins, Paul Jordan, Stephanie Jordan, Rachel Jordan, and Marlon Jordan. He is also survived by a number of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Jordan is acclaimed internationally as one of the true master improvisers. Indie Jazz aptly describes Kidd Jordan as a “genteel man” who is probably the single most under-documented jazz musician of his generation…
Jordan shared his gift of and passion for music for more than 50 years, 34 of which he spent at Southern University at New Orleans as head of the jazz studies program.
He has performed and recorded with a broad array of musicians, including Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Gladys Knight, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Dave Bartholomew, Art Neville, Ellis Marsalis, Cannonball Adderley, Alvin Batiste...,
Jordan was born in Crowley, Louisiana, on May 5, 1935. He grew up listening to Zydeco and Blues while attending Ross High School...
His growth as a musician continued when he encountered Southern University Baton Rouge alums Emmett Jacobs and William Byrd from 1952 to 1955... At Southern, he also connected with another soon-to-be musical legend: his bandmate, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brother, and future brother-in-law, the late Alvin Batiste.
Jordan relocated in 1955 to New Orleans; while teaching at SUNO, he simultaneously began playing R&B...
Jordan later earned his master’s degree in music from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois..; Jordan’s post-graduate summer studies led him to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
In 1975 he founded the Improvisation Arts Quintet, which recorded a remarkable catalog of free-flowing avant-garde. Citing him as a visionary educator and performer, the French Government recognized Jordan in 1985 as a Knight (Chevalier) of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, their nation’s highest honor.
Jordan has had a highly productive relationship with drummer Alvin Fielder and bassist William Parker for the past three decades. Together with innovative pianist Joel Futterman they perform and record together. Jordan's first recording was titled, "No Compromise," and done in collaboration with Alvin Fielder, Clyde Kerr, Jr., Kent Jordan, Elton Heron, and London Branch, later adding Alvin Thomas.
Jordan was honored with Offbeat magazine’s first Lifetime Achievement Award for Music Education, and his musical contributions have been documented on CBS’ 60 Minutes. In 2008, Southern University at New Orleans Foundation honored Jordan during their annual BASH III, and Jordan received a Lifetime Achievement Honoree at the Vision Festival XIII in New York City. In 2013, the Jazz Journalist Association named Jordan a “Jazz Hero.”
In May of 2017, Jordan received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Loyola University New Orleans. In 2021. Kidd received the United States Artists Fellow Award. On Kidd’s 87th birthday on May 5, 2022, the New Orleans City Council proclaimed May 5 Edward “Kidd” Jordan Day.
Jordan also received the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation Jazz Pioneer Award and the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp Award from the New Orleans Arts & Cultural Host Committee. Kidd is also inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
On May 20, 2020, Jordan celebrated his 85th birthday with the announcement of his final album, “Last Trane to New Orleans,” produced by his daughter Rachel produced and engineered by grandson Paul Sims.
Jordan has taught thousands, of students, including well-known musicians Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Donald Harrison, Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, Jonathan “Jon” Batiste, Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott), Gregory Davis...,
