Irving Sidney "Duke" Jordan (April 1, 1922 – August 8, 2006) was an American jazz pianist.
Jordan was born in New York and raised in Brooklyn where he attended Boys High School. An imaginative and gifted pianist, Jordan was a regular member of Charlie Parker's quintet during 1947–48, which also featured Miles Davis. He participated in Parker's Dial sessions in late 1947 that produced "Dewey Square", "Bongo Bop", "Bird of Paradise", and the ballad "Embraceable You". These performances are featured on Charlie Parker on Dial.
Jordan had a long solo career from the mid-1950s onwards, although for a period in the mid-1960s he drove a taxi in New York. After periods accompanying Sonny Stitt and Stan Getz, he performed and recorded in the trio format. His composition "Jordu" became a jazz standard when trumpeter Clifford Brown adopted it into his repertoire. Another of his compositions, "No Problem", has been recorded several times, notably by Art Blakey, under the title "No Hay Problema", and Chet Baker as well as others.
Beginning in 1978, he lived in Copenhagen, Denmark, having recorded an extensive sequence of albums for the SteepleChase label; his first record date for the company was in 1973. In the view of some listeners his style did not change over the course of his career.
From 1952 to 1962, he was married to the jazz singer Sheila Jordan. Their union produced a daughter, Tracey J. Jordan. He died in Valby, Copenhagen.
When You're Smiling (Steeple Chase, 1996) – combined Time on My Hands (1988) and As Time Goes By (1989) plus ten bonus tracks
Double Duke (Steeple Chase, 1997) – combined Change a Pace (1980) and Thinking of You (1982) plus five bonus tracks
The Happy Blues (Prestige, 1956)
All Star Sessions (Prestige, 1956) – rec. 1950–1955
Blues Up and Down, Vol. 1 (Prestige, 1970) – rec. 1950
Eddie Bert (Discovery, 1952)[10"]
Eddie Bert Quintet (Discovery, 1953)[10"]
Blue Lights Vols. 1 & 2 (Blue Note, 1958)
Swingin' (Blue Note (JP), 1980) – rec. 1958 only
Duke Ellington 25th Anniversary Concert (FDC (It) 1005)
Hooray for Stan Getz (Session Disc 108)
Sweetie Pie (Philology (It) W 40-2)
The Complete Roost Recordings (Roost CDP 7243 8 59622-2)