News & Events

Sheila Jordan brings unique jazz vocal stylings to UNC Asheville

October 20, 2010

Sheila Jordan, who has been singing for 75 years and is still winning awards, will bring her unique jazz vocal stylings to UNC Asheville for an 8 p.m. performance on Friday, Nov. 5 in Lipinsky Auditorium. She will also lead master classes open to musicians and listeners.

Jordan, who began her career singing in the style of bebop saxophonist Charlie Parker, became better known for imparting her own personal sound on a variety of styles including ballad and standards, jazz liturgy, and free jazz. Jordan studied and sang with jazz innovators like Lennie Tristano and George Russell. She also has an artistic link to Western North Carolina, having collaborated with bassist Steve Swallow on an album of the poems of Robert Creeley, known for his association with Black Mountain College.

Now nearing her 82nd birthday Jordan still keeps up an ambitious touring schedule that has taken her to England, France and Turkey this fall. In January, Jordan received the Nightlife Award for Outstanding Jazz Vocalist after a vote by a panel of more than two dozen critics. Nightlife Awards were given at a concert and ceremony in Town Hall in New York City.

Jordan will spend the first week of November in Asheville on and off campus, giving master classes with UNC Asheville students and jazz vocalists in the community. There are two open session master classes with Jordan and her jazz ensemble, 6:30-7:30 p.m. and 7:45-9:00 p.m. on November 3 at UNC Asheville's Lipinsky Auditorium. These classes are free and open to the public to observe or participate. For information on the master classes, call 828.251.6674.

General admission tickets to the November 5 concert are $20 for the public, $15 for faculty, staff, alumni, NCCCR members, WCU faculty and staff, and $5 for all area students.  Tickets are on sale at UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union or at uncatickets.com. For more information, call 828.251.6991 or the UNC Asheville Cultural Events & Special Academic Programs Web page.