Lee Morgan (1938–1972) was a seminal American jazz trumpeter and composer, renowned for his pivotal role in the hard bop movement. A prodigy from Philadelphia, he began his professional career at 15 and, by 18, was a featured soloist in Dizzy Gillespie's big band. Morgan's dynamic style, deeply rooted in blues and gospel, was influenced by Clifford Brown and Dizzy Gillespie. His 1964 composition "The Sidewinder" became a crossover hit, blending soul, blues, and R&B with hard bop, and significantly bolstered Blue Note Records' success. Morgan's collaborations with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and artists like John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter further cemented his legacy as a jazz innovator. ([britannica.com](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lee-Morgan?utm_source=openai))