Sheila Jeannette Jordan ( Dawson; November 18, 1928 – August 11, 2025) was an American jazz singer and songwriter. She recorded as a session musician with an array of critically acclaimed artists in addition to recording her own albums. Jordan pioneered a bebop and scat jazz singing style, with an upright bass as the only accompaniment.
Life and career
Early career
Sheila Jeanette Dawson was born in Detroit, on November 18, 1928. Her father left soon after her birth and remarried. (She later met her half-siblings.) Her mother struggled with alcoholism,
Jordan returned to live with her mother in Detroit by 1942, and at other New York venues. Duke Jordan's heroin addiction contributed to their 1962 divorce, but they had a daughter, Tracey, whom she "could truly love" and was "sure would love me back". In 1962, she recorded "You Are My Sunshine" with George Russell on his album The Outer View (Riverside) and also recorded her debut album Portrait of Sheila, released on Blue Note in 1963.
Awards and honors
- 2006: Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2007: International Association for Jazz Education Humanitarian Award
- 2008: Mary Lou Williams Award for Lifetime of Service to Jazz<!--replace with better ref
- 2010: New York Nightlife Award – Outstanding Jazz Vocalist
- Portrait of Sheila (Blue Note, 1963) – recorded in 1962
- Confirmation (East Wind, 1975)
- Last Year's Waltz (ECM, 1981)
- Lost and Found (Muse, 1989)
With Cameron Brown
- Here and How! (OmniTone 1997)
- I've Grown Accustomed to the Bass (HighNote, 2000)
With Bob Moses
- When Elephants Dream of Music (Rykodisc, 1982)
With Roswell Rudd
- Flexible Flyer (Arista/Freedom 1974)
- Blown Bone (Philips, 1979)
- Broad Strokes (Knitting Factory, 2000)
With Steve Swallow
- Home (ECM, 1980)
References
External links
- One Final Note feature from 2005
- 2009 interview with Alyn Shipton for BBC Radio 3's Jazz Library
- Interviews (2015, 2019, 2020) with the Oral History of American Music (Yale University)