Jazz Memorial for Sheila Jordan

Sheila Jordan was born Sheila Jeanette Dawson on November 18, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan. From her earliest years, she was drawn to music, especially the sound of bebop, which became her lifelong passion.

Growing up in poverty in Pennsylvania and later Detroit, Jordan found solace and inspiration in the jazz clubs of her youth, where she first heard Charlie Parker. Parker’s sound and spirit shaped her artistic direction, and she would go on to become one of his greatest vocal interpreters and advocates.

In the 1950s, after moving to New York City, Jordan immersed herself in the city’s jazz scene. She studied with Lennie Tristano, developed close ties with Parker’s circle, and forged a path as a pioneering vocalist who approached improvisation with the depth and creativity of an instrumentalist.

Her landmark 1962 album Portrait of Sheila on Blue Note Records—one of the first vocal albums issued by the label—showcased her singular artistry. Over the decades, Jordan worked with George Russell, Carla Bley, Steve Kuhn, Harvie S, and countless others, while also establishing the voice–bass duo as one of her signature formats.

Jordan’s music was characterized by daring improvisation, clarity of line, and deep emotional honesty. Beyond performance, she became a revered educator, mentoring generations of singers through her teaching at City College of New York, the University of Massachusetts, and workshops worldwide.

A recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award in 2012, Sheila Jordan’s contributions to jazz singing were profound and lasting. She redefined the role of the voice in jazz, not as an ornament but as an instrument of truth and imagination.

Sheila Jordan passed away on August 11, 2025, at the age of 96. Her artistry, courage, and spirit remain an enduring gift to the world of music.

Watch the livestream of this memoiral here: https://youtube.com/live/-AXeOS-b7t8?feature=share

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Arts and Architecture Conservancy at Saint Peter's