Introducing Joe Gordon, Joe Gordon’s debut recording as a leader, heralded a major new talent, though its title would ultimately prove bittersweet. One of the most gifted trumpeters of his generation, Gordon would record only one other album under his own name before personal struggles and a tragically early death at age 35 cut short a promising career. Still, Introducing Joe Gordon stands as a fitting introduction to a major jazz voice. Recorded for EmArcy in September 1954 while Gordon was a member of Art Blakey’s pre-Jazz Messengers group - having replaced Clifford Brown earlier that year - the album features Blakey alongside tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse, pianist Junior Mance, and bassist Jimmy Schenck. This Verve Record Club pressing marks the album’s first U.S. vinyl reissue in more than 50 years.

* Mastered from analog sources

* Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Record Technology, Inc. (RTI)

* Numbered Tip on Gatefold Jacket

* Limited to just 2,500 copies