FREE | Friday, Sept 19, 2025 8:10 p.m. | Forsyth Park

Memphis-born bassist, composer, and educator, Rodney Jordan, is perhaps best known for his workaccompanying pianist Marcus Roberts and vocalist René Marie. His Quintet is composed ofGRAMMY award-winningRanky Tankydrummer, Quentin E. Baxter, pianist Louis Heriveaux,bassist Melvin Jones, and saxophonist, Mark Sterbank.

Of their new album,Memphis Blue,Jordan says it is “dedicated to the soulful people of Memphis,”and it is “not a typical blues recording, but every piece has that thread running thought it. There’san optimism in the way we play that embodies the blues spirit.”

Memphis Bluepays homage to jazz greats Art Blakey and Roy Hargrove as well as honoring standardsasAutumn Leaves.The album is a relaxed, grooving sojourn into the heart of the bluesand is atribute to Jordan’s birthplace and his many mentors from Memphis.

Jordan was educated at Jackson State University and as an undergrad member of the Mississippi
Symphony Orchestra served as its assistant principal bassist. He went on to become the chair of the
Dougherty County Public Schools string department and served as principal bassist with the Albany
Symphony Orchestra. He has recorded with leading jazz artists such as Marcus Printup, Milt
Jackson, Goerge Coleman and Russell Gunn. Since 2001, Jordan has been at Florida State
University and is serving as Professor of Jazz Bass and Coordinator of Jazz and Commercial Music.