Sheila Jordan

American jazz singer (1928–2025)

Born: 18 November 1928
Detroit
Died: 11 August 2025
New York City
Country: United States
Record labels: Blue Note, ECM Records
Discography: 25 albums

Biography

Sheila Jordan was a jazz musician who played voice. Sheila Jordan was born on 18 November 1928 in Detroit and died on 11 August 2025 in New York City. The music is usually filed under jazz and free jazz. Record labels: Blue Note and ECM Records. The discography here lists 25 albums, from “Portrait of Sheila” (1962) to “Portrait Now” (2025). Honours include NEA Jazz Masters.

Sheila Jeannette Jordan (née 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. Jordan's music has earned praise from many critics, particularly for her ability to improvise lyrics; Scott Yanow described her as "one of the most consistently creative of all jazz singers". Charlie Parker often introduced Jordan as "the lady with the million dollar ears".

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Portrait of Sheila 1962 · Blue Note Sheila 1977 · Grapevine Old Time Feeling 1983 · Palo Alto Records The Crossing 1984 · Blackhawk Records Body and Soul 1987 · CBS/Sony Lost and Found 1990 · Muse Records Songs From Within 1993 · MA Recordings Heart Strings 1994 · Muse Records One for Junior 1994 · Muse Records Jazz Child 1999 · HighNote Records I've Grown Accustomed to the Bass 2000 · HighNote Records The Very Thought of Two 2000 · MA Recordings Little Song 2003 · High Note Records Believe in Jazz 2004 · Live · Ella Productions Celebration: Live at the Triad 2005 · Live · HighNote Records Confirmation 2005 · Test of Time Records

Fly Away 2005

Straight Ahead 2005 · Splasc(H) Records Sheila 2007 · SteepleChase Winter Sunshine 2008 · Justin Time Records Yesterdays 2012 · HighNote Records Comes Love: Lost Session 1960 2021 · Live · Capri Records trioTrio meets Sheila Jordan 2022 · SteepleChase En la Fundación Valparaíso 2024 · Live Portrait Now 2025 · Dot Time Records

Also plays on

Albums where Sheila Jordan is credited as a sideman

1975	Flexible Flyer — Roswell Rudd	vocals
1980	Home — Steve Swallow	vocals
1982	ABC — Aki Takase	vocals
1983	When Elephants Dream of Music — Bob Moses	other vocals
1991	The Outer View — George Russell	vocals
2014	Shadows — Mark Murphy feat. Karlheinz Miklin & Fritz Pauer	liner notes