Record Grading: VG+

Weak VG+: Beaded rim. The vinyl has a light warp, causing a slight wobble during playback. This does not affect sound quality. The wobble is not noticeable when the record is flipped to Side 2. Some faint surface scuffs and scratches, with a few additional faint but inaudible scratches through the tracks. Light, inaudible smudges across the surface. Nothing feelable or audible. Still pretty clean and plays nicely.

Label: "47 WEST 63rd NEW YORK 23" No R under E in NOTE. Deep Groove on both sides.
Matrix: "RVG" Hand Etched on both sides. Plastylite "P"/"ear" mark on both sides.

Sleeve Grading: VG+

Very clean sleeve. Light coating tear on opening. Still in original shrink wrap.

Record Details

"47 WEST 63rd NEW YORK 23" RVG, Deep Groove, MONO, No R

Album Details

Artist: Clifford Jordan & John Gilmore
Title: Blowing In From Chicago
Label: Blue Note BLP 1549
Release: US 1958
Format: Vinyl Record 12" LP
Genre: Jazz Hard Bop

Additional photos and videos available upon request.

Album Description

Blowing In From Chicago (Blue Note 1549), recorded in March 1957, is a hard bop classic that paired two of Chicago’s most distinctive tenor saxophonists, Clifford Jordan and John Gilmore. Although both were born and raised in Chicago, their careers took very different paths: Jordan became a respected leader and sideman on the New York scene, while Gilmore became Sun Ra’s most loyal sideman, rarely appearing outside of the Arkestra. This Blue Note session is one of Gilmore’s very few recordings under non–Sun Ra leadership, which makes it historically significant.

The rhythm section is legendary: Horace Silver (piano), Curly Russell (bass), and Art Blakey (drums). In fact, this was one of the few non-Jazz Messengers dates where Blakey and Silver reunited, bringing their driving hard bop energy.

The album is often praised for its “two-tenor battle” spirit, but unlike the more combative tenor duels of the time (like Gene Ammons vs. Sonny Stitt), Jordan and Gilmore display complementary voices. Jordan’s tone is more round and direct, while Gilmore has an edgier, more angular phrasing hinting at the avant-garde style he would later develop with Sun Ra.

John Gilmore’s playing here was so strong that critics often wondered why he didn’t pursue more mainstream sessions. His loyalty to Sun Ra kept him out of the spotlight, which adds mystique to this album.

Clifford Jordan later became associated with Charles Mingus and his own “Magic Triangle” trio. For many collectors, Blowing In From Chicago represents his first major statement.

The title itself nods to the fact that both saxophonists were literally “blowing in” from Chicago to New York, making their mark on the hard bop capital.

Grading Scale: NM / VG+ / VG / G+ / G

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