"Midnight Sun"
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ABOUT ME
Stephanie Jordan, whom critics have placed in the company of Diana Krall and Dianne Reeves, began to receive noted prominence following the national televised Jazz at Lincoln Center Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert for victims of Hurricane Katrina. “On that memorable night; none sang with greater authority or emotional resonance than Stephanie Jordan, who enthralled the packed house and a national PBS NPR audience of millions with an ascendant reading of “Here’s to Life.” Bill Milkowski of JazzTimes Magazine writes “Stephanie Jordan, a standout here, was the real discovery of the evening. Her haunting rendition of this bittersweet ode associated with Shirley Horn was delivered with uncanny poise and a depth of understated soul that mesmerized the crowd...Singing with a clarity of diction that recalled Nat “King” Cole.”
Jordan brought the concert to its climax with impeccable diction, dead-center pitch, and a personal point of view, acknowledging Horn’s antecedent version while drawing independent conclusions about tempo, phrasing, and dynamics. In the process, Jordan… revealed a fully evolved tonal personality, one that can be mentioned in a conversation about such distinguished mentors and influences as Horn, Abbey Lincoln, and Nancy Wilson.” Just as she had ten years ago at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Stephanie Jordan helped frame the moment of the evening at "The Power of Community: Katrina 10 Commemoration" on August 29, 2015 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Jordan said "I am honored to have been asked by Mayor Landrieu to sing the classic tune "Home" from the Broadway musical "The Wiz" during the commemoration" Jordan sang at the inaugural International Jazz Day presented by UNESCO which was celebrated by millions worldwide on 4/30/12 during an all-star sunrise concert in New Orleans' Congo Square that included jazz luminaries Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Ellis Marsalis, and others. Jordan has appears live on NPR’s Talk of the Nation, the Kennedy Center, Jazz Standard, Club Dizzy’s, Marians Jazzroom in Bern, Switzerland, St. Croix Blue Bay Jazz Fest, The Setai - South Beach Miami, Manship Theatre, Takoma Station, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Duke Ellington Festival, Chicago JazzFest Heritage, Glenwood Springs, Co., Adagio's Jazz Club, Hayti Heritage Center, Sweet Lorraine's Jazz Club and is a regular at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Recognized internationally, the Sud Ouest French publication calls her “unbelievably superb.” The Washingtonian Magazine labeled her “JAZZHOT.” Audix Microphones has dubbed her "Lady Jazz!" Jordan is the 5th performer to emerge from a family of New Orleans bred musicians. As the daughter of saxophonist Edward "Kidd" Jordan, Stephanie's musical roots run deep; siblings include flutist Kent, trumpeter Marlon, and classical violinist Rachel Jordan. A graduate of Howard University, Stephanie is also a certified fitness instructor and creator of Jazz Pilates. Jordan is Choir Director and Vocal Instructor at a local elementary school.
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Singing Jazz is Life |