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

Sponsored by Miner Family Winery

Memphis-born bassist, composer, and educator, Rodney Jordan, is perhaps best known for his work accompanying pianist Marcus Roberts and vocalist René Marie.  His Quintet is composed of GRAMMY award-winning Ranky Tanky drummer, Quentin E. Baxter, pianist Louis Heriveaux, Melvin Jones on trumpet, 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’s an optimism in the way we play that embodies the blues spirit.”

Memphis Blue pays homage to jazz greats Art Blakey and Roy Hargrove as well as honoring standards as “Autumn Leaves”.  The album is a relaxed, grooving sojourn into the heart of the blues and is attribute 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, George 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.