As part of its popular jazz jam series, the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College presents acclaimed jazz singer Sheila Jordan on March 26.
Considered one of the most consistently creative of all jazz singers, Jordan will perform a selection of soulful numbers with the center’s house band. The session also invites local musicians and singers to come and jam with the band and guest artist.
Jordan’s singing career, which spans five decades, began in the early 50s when she sang in Greenwich Village clubs and at jam sessions with such jazz greats as Charles Mingus and Herbie Nichols. In 1962 she made her acclaimed first recordings: “Portrait of Shiela” and “You Are My Sunshine” on George Russell’s “The Outer View.”
After touring with trombonist Roswell Rudd in the late 70s, she became a founding member of the Steve Kuhn Quartet.
Throughout Jordan’s career, her talents have been recognized by the music community. Down Beat’s International Critics Poll has named her winner of “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition” honors nine times and has placed her among the top five singers in the “Established Talent” category every year since 1980. Her recording, “Lost and Found,” won Best CD of the Year honors in Wire magazine’s 1991 Critics Choice poll.
The singer has appeared in festivals and clubs both nationally and internationally, performing as a soloist, with her quartet, and as co-leader of the Sheila Jordan/Cameron Brown Duo.
The performance begins at 8 p.m. in the college’s Little Theatre on Van Dam Street at 47th Avenue in Long Island City. Those who are interested in purchasing tickets may call 718-482-5151.
The season’s additional line-up includes:
April 30: Lou Donaldson, sax
May 21: Latin Jazz Night featuring Ray Vega, trumpet/flugelhorn
