Monday, April 28, 2025

For Immediate Release

File image: Stephanie Jordan (vocals), Marlon Jordan (trumpet), and Rachel Jordan (violin).

NEW ORLEANS, LA (Apr. 20, 2025) - The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival by Shell will feature Stephanie Jordan and Rachel Jordan with the Music Alive Ensemble on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in the WWOZ Jazz Tent at 2:25 PM during the festival. 

The performance will include Stephanie Jordan's acclaimed vocals framed by an eight-piece jazz ensemble encased by a string quartet led by her sister, classical violinist Rachel Jordan. A version of their recent performance at The Historic Eldorado Ballroom in Houston, TX for the ROCO’s Unchambered Series may be viewed on YouTube. It builds on Stephanie’s signature trademark of singing jazz standards from the Big Band era.

Jazz at Lincoln Center notes, "Every so often a new voice stands up and proclaims itself, but few do so with such supreme depth and understated soul” as Stephanie Jordan. 

JazzTimes Magazine writes “Stephanie Jordan… haunting rendition of (Here’s to Life) 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’s 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.”

Jordan sang at the inaugural International Jazz Day presented by UNESCO celebrated by millions worldwide during an all-star sunrise concert in New Orleans' Congo Square. The event included jazz luminaries Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Ellis Marsalis, and others.  Jordan has appeared 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 she is a regular at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. 

Recognized internationally, the Sud Ouest French publication calls Stephanie “unbelievably superb.” The Washingtonian Magazine labeled her “JAZZHOT.” Audix Microphones has dubbed her "Lady Jazz!"

Founded by classical violinist Rachel Jordan, Music Alive Ensemble (MAE) is a blend of professional classical and jazz musicians, composers, arrangers, and educators. "MAE perpetuates cultural diversity and finds common ground through classical and jazz artistic collaboration. Our goal is to bring families into artistic venues in hopes that the experience will educate, encourage burgeoning artists, and develop a supportive listening base for future generations of musicians," says Rachel.

Rachel serves as the String Instructor for the Talented Music Program at Benjamin Franklin Elementary and formerly at Jefferson Parish Public School. Rachel is a River Oaks Chamber Orchestra member in Houston, Texas, and the James Carter Quartet at Loyola University in New Orleans. Rachel has served as adjunct faculty at Xavier University, Southern University, and Dillard University, Loyola University, and a Professor of Violin at Jackson State University. She is also a former member of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans for 12 years. She received her Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where she studied with Berl Senofsky. Rachel is a New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts High School (NOCCA) graduate.

Rachel has performed with her siblings for Jazz at Lincoln Center's Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert and numerous concerts throughout the United States. Ms. Jordan performs on and is the executive producer of the Marlon Jordan Featuring Stephanie Jordan CD titled "You Don't Know What Love Is." She also produces the annual "An Afternoon of Classical Music" chamber music series.  

Rachel has been a featured performer in numerous solo recitals, most notable the Kennedy Center, the Mozart Festival in Salzburg, Austria, the Music Center of Houston, the Mozart Festival in Washington, D.C. While at Jackson State, Rachel performed, "The Lark Ascending" with Jackson State University Orchestra for the Congressional Black Caucus Inaugural Ceremony of President Barack Obama.

Stephanie and Rachel Jordan emerge from a family of New Orleans-bred musicians. As the daughters of the late saxophonist Edward "Kidd" Jordan, their musical roots run deep; siblings include flutist Kent, trumpeter Marlon Jordan, and their uncle trombonist Maynard Chatters and clarinetist the late Alvin Batiste.

A graduate of Howard University, Stephanie is also a certified fitness instructor and creator of Jazz Pilates. Stephanie is the Choir Director and Vocal Instructor at Fannie C. Williams Charter School.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc., is the nonprofit organization that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. The two-week Festival runs from Thursday through Sunday, April 24 – 27, and May 1 – 4, 2025. 

Other featured performances include Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Luke Combs, Lil Wayne, Kacey Musgroves, Harry Connick Jr., Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Diana Krall, Terence Blanchard, Ledisi, Nayo Jones, and more as headliners. The full lineup can be seen here.

Weekend passes and VIP packages are now on sale here. For more information, click https://www.nojazzfest.com/.

Media Contact:

Vincent Sylvain

Vincent@SylvainSolutions.com

504-232-3499

About the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is the nonprofit organization that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. The Foundation uses the proceeds from Jazz Fest, and other funds, for year-round programs in the areas of education, economic development and cultural events. For more about the Foundation and what we do, visit us online at www.jazzandheritage.org.