Artist profile · 04/07/2026
Lee Morgan
- 19
- Albums on Vinyles.com
- 550k
- Last.fm listeners
- 5M
- Last.fm plays
About
Lee Morgan, American hard bop trumpet virtuoso from Philadelphia’s jazz scene.
Lee Morgan emerged as a formidable trumpet voice of hard bop and soul jazz. Beginning his recording career as a leader in 1956, Morgan played with legends like Art Blakey, Wayne Shorter, and John Coltrane. His albums often featured the distinct Blue Note quintet sound, mixing trumpet, saxophone, piano, bass, and drums with a funky, soulful edge. Throughout his career, he crafted a discography rich with iconic albums spanning bebop and hard bop grooves recorded mainly at Blue Note Records.
Vinyles.com offers a comparison of over 20 Lee Morgan vinyl albums, including essential releases such as The Sidewinder, Caramba, and The Procrastinator.
Discography
Lee Morgan discography
Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.
Volume 2, Sextet
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl 4
- CD 4
- Cassette
Leeway
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl 8
- CD 5
- Cassette
Cornbread
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl 3
- CD 4
- Cassette 1
Delightfulee
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl 2
- CD 4
- Cassette 1
Standards
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl
- CD 1
- Cassette
Charisma
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl 1
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
The Sixth Sense
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl 1
- CD 4
- Cassette 1
Live at the Lighthouse
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl 1
- CD 2
- Cassette 1
Lee Morgan
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl 1
- CD 3
- Cassette
The Last Session
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl 1
- CD 3
- Cassette
See Autumn
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Taru
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl 2
- CD 3
- Cassette
Infinity
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl 2
- CD 3
- Cassette
Out There
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
I Remember Clifford
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl
- CD 1
- Cassette
The Last Bop, Lee Morgan Archives
Lee Morgan
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Data provided by Discogs
Listen
Signature songs
- 01
The SidewinderThe Sidewinder · 1964 - 02I Remember Clifford
- 03Ceora
- 04Since I Fell For You - Rudy Van Gelder Edition / 2007 / Digital Remaster
- 05Since I Fell for You
- 06The Sidewinder - Remastered 1999/Rudy Van Gelder Edition
- 07Cornbread
- 08I Remember Clifford - Rudy Van Gelder Edition / Remastered 2007
Essentials
3 Lee Morgan albums you need to own
Our picks, approved by the editors.
#1 · 1964Morgan's breakthrough hard bop album with a catchy title track that boosted Blue Note’s commercial success; remains a sought-after pressing for collectors.
5 tracksBlue Note labelMultiple mono and stereo pressingsEstimated 1964 original release
#2 · 1968Post-bop and hard bop exploration featuring tracks like 'Caramba' and 'Suicide City', reflecting Morgan’s evolving style late 60s jazz scene.
5 tracksBlue Note labelVarious US pressings from 1968Mono and stereo versions
#3 · 1978A later Blue Note album released posthumously, showcasing Morgan’s advanced hard bop compositions and extended improvisations across 13 tracks.
13 tracksBlue Note labelOriginal 1978 US pressingMultiple reissues
Go further
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B-side
B-side: the hidden stories of Lee Morgan
Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.
The Procrastinator original pressing details
The Procrastinator was issued in 1978 on Blue Note with the catalog number BN-LA582-J2. The original US pressing fetches prices around 35 to 39 euros depending on condition and has 13 tracks featuring Morgan’s signature hard bop style.
High-value Japanese pressing of The Gigolo
A 1968 Japanese stereo pressing of The Gigolo on Blue Note, catalog BST 84212, commands prices up to 250 euros, much higher than US versions, reflecting scarcity and collector interest.
Collaborations with jazz greats
Morgan recorded with prominent saxophonists like Wayne Shorter and Joe Henderson and pianists like McCoy Tyner. His quintets typically featured funky hard bop arrangements with trumpet and tenor sax.
"Lee Morgan's style epitomizes the classic Blue Note quintet sound of the 1960s with its distinctive soul jazz groove."— Jazz commentary
Starting career with Dizzy Gillespie
At age 18, Lee Morgan joined Dizzy Gillespie’s orchestra, gaining early experience in bebop before leading his own sessions starting in 1956.
Lee Morgan vinyl discography
See allThe Complete Live At The Lighthouse
Lee Morgan
Jazz Rock / Fusion / FunkJazz/Blues
2025-12-19BLUE NOTEFrom$293.99
3 offersSearch For The New Land
Lee Morgan
Jazz contemporain / CoolJazz/Blues
2024-02-16BLUE NOTEFrom$29.70
1 offer
Lee Morgan CDs
See allSearch For The New Land Édition Limitée Exclusivité Fnac
Lee Morgan
BebopJazz/Blues
2025-05-01From$28.31
1 offer
Recommended accessories
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$24.99
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$21.99
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FAQ
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Who was Lee Morgan and what jazz style is he known for?
Lee Morgan was a Philadelphia-born American trumpet player known primarily for hard bop, a jazz style blending bebop with soul and blues influences.
What are some essential Lee Morgan vinyl records to collect?
Key records include The Sidewinder (1964), Caramba (1968), and The Procrastinator (1978), all available in various pressings and reissues tracked for vinyl prices.
When did Lee Morgan start recording as a leader?
He began recording as a bandleader in 1956 after a stint with Dizzy Gillespie's orchestra in the early 1950s.
What is the significance of the album The Sidewinder?
The Sidewinder was Morgan’s commercial breakthrough as a hard bop artist, popularizing Blue Note’s signature sound and bringing wider audiences to jazz.
Where was Lee Morgan born and where did he die?
He was born in Philadelphia and died in New York City in 1972.
How can I identify original Lee Morgan Blue Note pressings?
Look for Blue Note labels on vinyl from the 1960s, catalog numbers like BN-LA582-J2, and limited availability at higher price points indicate original pressings.
Are there notable pressings of Lee Morgan’s The Gigolo album?
Yes, the Japanese 1968 stereo pressing on Blue Note, catalog BST 84212, is highly sought after and often priced significantly higher than US reissues.
What kind of ensemble did Lee Morgan typically lead in the 1960s?
He usually led quintets featuring trumpet, tenor saxophone, piano, bass, and drums, creating the classic Blue Note hard bop sound.
Transparency
Sources & method
This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
- Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.