Is Cornbread a good place to start with Lee Morgan?

Yes, Cornbread is recommended as a starting point for new Lee Morgan listeners. A vibrant fusion of hard bop and modal jazz, featuring intricate solos and a lively ensemble dynamic. Released in 1967, Cornbread is Lee Morgan's first album after his critically acclaimed record The Sidewinder. By this point in his career, Morgan was solidifying his reputation as a leading trumpeter in the jazz scene, having gained commercial success and artistic respect during the 1960s.

Who is Cornbread for?

Cornbread works well if you're into steady mid-tempo exploration, vibrant interplay of melodies and engaging for focused listening.

How many songs are on Cornbread?

Cornbread has 5 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Cornbread

Lee Morgan · 1967

39 min · 5 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of hard bop and modal jazz, featuring intricate solos and a lively ensemble dynamic.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Cornbread Start here — The title track sets the tone with its catchy melody and engaging interplay between trumpeter Lee Morgan and the ensemble, exemplifying the album's spirited essence.
→
Our Man Higgins — This track features intricate arrangements and showcases Morgan's melodic prowess while allowing for compelling improvisational sections that highlight the band's synergy.
→
Ceora — A beautifully crafted ballad, Ceora exhibits emotional depth through its lush harmonies and Morgan's sensitive trumpet phrasing, making it a standout moment on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Cornbread showcases intricate solos and a vibrant ensemble dynamic, marking a solid entry in Morgan's discography.

What we noticed

Each track features extended solos, with the trumpet often taking the lead while the rhythm section provides a dynamic backdrop.
The album opens with a title track that establishes a lively tempo, which is maintained through the first three pieces before slowing down in the last two.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo exploration
vibrant interplay of melodies
engaging for focused listening
for afternoon unwind

Maybe skip if you

seeking quick, catchy tracks
prefer fast-paced excitement

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established Morgan's reputation post-The Sidewinder, showcasing innovative hard bop.
Career context: Released in 1967, Cornbread is Lee Morgan's first album after his critically acclaimed record The Sidewinder. By this point in his career, Morgan was solidifying his reputation as a leading trumpeter in the jazz scene, having gained commercial success and artistic respect during the 1960s.
Stylistic neighbors: Donald Byrd· Freddie Hubbard· Art Farmer