Lee Morgan (10 July 1938 - 19 February 1972) was an American hard-bop jazz … Read Full Bio ↴Lee Morgan (10 July 1938 - 19 February 1972) was an American hard-bop jazz trumpeter.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Morgan was a jazz prodigy, joining the Dizzy Gillespie big band at 18, remaining a member for two years. In 1956 he began recording as a leader, mainly for the Blue Note label; eventually he recorded twenty-five albums for the company. Morgan's principal influence as a player was Clifford Brown, having had direct contact with him before Brown's premature death.
He was also a featured sideman on several early Hank Mobley records, and John Coltrane's Blue Train. Joining Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1958 further developed his talent as a soloist and writer. He toured with Blakey for a few years, and was featured on Moanin, which is probably Blakey's best known recording. When Benny Golson left the Jazz Messengers, Morgan persuaded Blakey to hire Wayne Shorter, a young tenor saxophonist, to fill the chair. This classic version of the Jazz Messengers, including Bobby Timmons and Jymie Merritt would record the classic The Freedom Rider album.
Morgan tried to move in to the more advanced areas of the music in the early 1960s. He left the Jazz Messengers in 1961, struggling with heroin addiction, managing to kick his habit in his hometown. He returned to the music scene after a two-year absence, playing on Grachan Moncur III's essentially avant-garde Evolution album (his favourite work), and experimenting on some of his own recordings such as the title track of Search for the New Land (1964), but the popularity of his famous album, The Sidewinder, featuring Joe Henderson precluded his career developing in this way.
The title track of that record cracked the pop charts in 1964 and served as the background theme for Chrysler commercials during the World Series. The Sidewinder's crossover success in a rapidly changing pop music market caused Blue Note to rush the track's "Boogaloo" sound to market. This is evidenced in the mid-60s output of many Blue Note stars, including Morgan, and some of the lesser artists in the stable, releasing albums with modified and rythmically punchy blues tracks, such as "Yes I Can, No You Can't" on Morgan's own The Gigolo. In 1964 Morgan rejoined the Jazz Messengers, after his successor Freddie Hubbard departed, which had now become a sextet with the addition of Curtis Fuller to the group.
Alongside this commercial success, Morgan continued to record prolifically, producing such works as Search For the New Land which reached the top 20 of the R&B charts. His work became increasingly more modal and free towards the end of the sixties. He had begun to lead his own group, featuring Bernie Maupin as a multi-reedist.
Lee Morgan was murdered by his common-law wife, Helen More, with whom he was breaking up, following an argument between sets at Slug's, a popular New York City jazz club.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Morgan was a jazz prodigy, joining the Dizzy Gillespie big band at 18, remaining a member for two years. In 1956 he began recording as a leader, mainly for the Blue Note label; eventually he recorded twenty-five albums for the company. Morgan's principal influence as a player was Clifford Brown, having had direct contact with him before Brown's premature death.
He was also a featured sideman on several early Hank Mobley records, and John Coltrane's Blue Train. Joining Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1958 further developed his talent as a soloist and writer. He toured with Blakey for a few years, and was featured on Moanin, which is probably Blakey's best known recording. When Benny Golson left the Jazz Messengers, Morgan persuaded Blakey to hire Wayne Shorter, a young tenor saxophonist, to fill the chair. This classic version of the Jazz Messengers, including Bobby Timmons and Jymie Merritt would record the classic The Freedom Rider album.
Morgan tried to move in to the more advanced areas of the music in the early 1960s. He left the Jazz Messengers in 1961, struggling with heroin addiction, managing to kick his habit in his hometown. He returned to the music scene after a two-year absence, playing on Grachan Moncur III's essentially avant-garde Evolution album (his favourite work), and experimenting on some of his own recordings such as the title track of Search for the New Land (1964), but the popularity of his famous album, The Sidewinder, featuring Joe Henderson precluded his career developing in this way.
The title track of that record cracked the pop charts in 1964 and served as the background theme for Chrysler commercials during the World Series. The Sidewinder's crossover success in a rapidly changing pop music market caused Blue Note to rush the track's "Boogaloo" sound to market. This is evidenced in the mid-60s output of many Blue Note stars, including Morgan, and some of the lesser artists in the stable, releasing albums with modified and rythmically punchy blues tracks, such as "Yes I Can, No You Can't" on Morgan's own The Gigolo. In 1964 Morgan rejoined the Jazz Messengers, after his successor Freddie Hubbard departed, which had now become a sextet with the addition of Curtis Fuller to the group.
Alongside this commercial success, Morgan continued to record prolifically, producing such works as Search For the New Land which reached the top 20 of the R&B charts. His work became increasingly more modal and free towards the end of the sixties. He had begun to lead his own group, featuring Bernie Maupin as a multi-reedist.
Lee Morgan was murdered by his common-law wife, Helen More, with whom he was breaking up, following an argument between sets at Slug's, a popular New York City jazz club.
Yes I Can No You Can't
Lee Morgan Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Yes I Can No You Can't' by these artists:
We have lyrics for these tracks by Lee Morgan:
Candy Some say that love is sweet as a rose, Some say…
Lady Lady Hear me tonight Cause my feeling Is just so right A…
Latin Hangover I got a hangover, whoa! I′ve been drinking too much for…
Little T Why do you hate us? I don't hate you You gettin' up…
P.S. I Love You As I write this letter, send my love to you Remember…
Rio Vai coração doente Veja que tem na frente Olhos que querem…
The Lady Lady Hear me tonight Cause my feeling Is just so right A…
You Go To My Head You go to my head And you linger like a haunting…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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tom d
@Dan Markham yes, you are correct. here's the rest of the information recording this excellent disc. it's one of my favourites also, especially 'yes i can, no you can't' with Harold Mabern playing some of the funkiest piano i ever heard on a Blue Note recording. muchas gracias y saludos desde Tokio.
All compositions by Lee Morgan except as indicated
"Yes I Can, No You Can't" – 7:26
"Trapped" – 5:59
"Speedball" – 5:32
"The Gigolo" – 11:07
"You Go to My Head" (Coots, Gillespie) – 7:22
"The Gigolo" [Alternate Take] – 10:04 Bonus track on CD
Recorded on June 25 (#2) and July 1 (all others), 1965.
Personnel
Lee Morgan – trumpet
Wayne Shorter – tenor saxophone
Harold Mabern – piano
Bob Cranshaw – bass
Billy Higgins – drum
Tony Arrache
Lee Morgan has become my favorite Trumpeter. So young and gifted.
David Vega
one of my absoluute favorite lee morgan tunes!!! he is my favorite jazz trumpeter few could make that instrument almost talk
Stephen John Taylor
Morgan continues to surprise me. So terribly underrated. Respect!
Dwight Alfred
I imagine fire coming out of that trumpet. Can't you?
Julie Mcnicholas
Dwight Alfred I honestly couldn’t believe it was the trumpet, I thought it was the sax or the clarinet, what talent and such a tragic story
Julie Mcnicholas
Dwight Alfred I had never heard of him until recently after I watched a documentary about him on Netflix and now I am completely hooked, omg what a great talent. I loved the saxophone and clarinet but I didn’t realise that it was even possible for a trumpet to speak like this, rip
voicegirl555
You left 47 years ago today. Yet you are still here. Thanks for all that great music.
Dylan Gatenby
Lee died too young.
Anyway, great chart, great album.
windel12002
He was killed!
T Brinkley
I wonder why they didn't play these song on his documentary morgan and I love the documentary it makes it more understandable of what took place. REST IN PEACE Lee AND Helen Morgan