· the melancholic life of holiday imbued her performances with unfiltered, visceral emotion, best exemplified by the eerie “strange fruit,” a stinging critique of racism. The legendary sheila jordan joins christian mcbride for a career-spanning conversation. – ) was an american jazz singer and songwriter. · attesting to this, in 2012, sheila received the national endowment for the arts jazz master fellow award, the highest honor this country bestows on jazz artists. Sheila jordan is an american jazz singer and songwriter. Shop rare vinyl records, top albums, and more on discogs. Her first great … Sheila jordan is an american jazz singer and songwriter who pioneered a bebop and scat jazz singing style with an upright bass as the only accompaniment. She may have had a difficult personal life, but she had an enormous influence on jazz. Sheila jeannette jordan (née dawson; My favorite way to sing is with the bass. But fellow vocalese singer and friend amy london proudly noted that the sheila jordan she knows is, for real. Raised in poverty in pennsylvanias coal-mining country, jordan began singing as a child and by the time she was in her early teens was working semi-professionally in detroit clubs. One of a handful of legendary artists to add this prestigious honor to her name, she was chosen because of her exceptional contributions to jazz music and jazz education. Sheila began singing on local radio stations in the late 1930’s, going on to working semi-professionally alongside her regular day job (she did not turn professional until she was in her sixties) to the current day as she still performs and tours regularly. Sheila jordan once said, i think i may have been a bass player in a previous life. · sheila e. , recipient of the lifetime achievement award by dw, presented by roland, has been musical royalty all her life. She recorded as a session musician with an array of critically acclaimed artists in addition to recording her own albums. · sheila jordan is an american jazz singer and songwriter who pioneered a bebop and scat jazz singing style with an upright bass as the only accompaniment. · the name missing from that list is sheila jordan. Jordans duo recordings with bass accompaniment have been some of her finest work. · shes among the last living beboppers, one of the first singers on blue note and a pioneer of voice and bass. “at the age of 92 and … Holiday had her own language and tempo, unrestricted by musical standards. Explore sheila jordans biography, discography, and artist credits. Born into the escovedo family percussion legacy, she burst into the mainstream in 1984 with her seminal lp, the glamourous life, and grammy nominations and accolades followed. · sheila jordans early life in detroit was tainted by family alcoholism and numerous challenges as she fought her way through a tough childhood. Charlie parker often introduced jordan as the lady with the million-dollar ears. She has recorded as a session musician with an array of critically acclaimed artists in addition to recording her own albums. One of a handful of legendary artists to add this prestigious honor to her name, she was chosen because of her contributions to jazz music and jazz education. Find more profile articles With musical expression at the center of her focus, sheila e. This month, jordans biographer ellen johnson, offers the first part of a two-part historical essay on these seminal recordings.