Mode for Joe

Mode for Joe is the fifth studio album by American jazz saxophonist Joe Henderson, recorded and released in 1966. Featuring Henderson with a larger than usual ensemble consisting of trumpeter Lee Morgan, trombonist Curtis Fuller, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Joe Chambers, it was Henderson’s last Blue Note recording as leader until the live albums The State of the Tenor, Vols. 1 & 2 almost 20 years later.

Mode for Joe
Studio album by Joe Henderson
Released	September 1966
Recorded	January 27, 1966
Studio	Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs
Genre	Jazz, post-bop, modal jazz
Length	49:27 (2003 release)
Label	Blue Note
Producer	Alfred Lion
Joe Henderson chronology
Inner Urge (1965) Mode for Joe (1966) The Kicker (1967)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[3]
DownBeat	[4]

AllMusic reviewer Eric Starr awarded the album 4.5 stars, calling it "a great example of modern jazz at its best" and "one of the sax legend's most intriguing albums."^[1]

Track listing

All compositions by Joe Henderson, except where indicated.

1. "A Shade of Jade" – 7:08
2. "Mode for Joe" (Cedar Walton) – 8:00
3. "Black" (Walton) – 6:51
4. "Caribbean Fire Dance" – 6:41
5. "Granted" – 7:20
6. "Free Wheelin'" (Lee Morgan) – 6:39
7. "Black" (Walton) (alternate take) – 6:48 Bonus track on CD

Personnel

• Joe Henderson – tenor saxophone
• Lee Morgan – trumpet
• Curtis Fuller – trombone
• Bobby Hutcherson – vibraphone
• Cedar Walton – piano
• Ron Carter – double bass
• Joe Chambers – drums

Charts

Chart performance for Mode for Joe

Chart (2024)	Peak position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[5]	128