Christmas with New Orleans Ladies of Jazz Album Release; ‏

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Rachel Jordan Music announces the upcoming release of its second album 'Christmas with New Orleans Ladies of Jazz and Music Alice Ensemble; I Saw Three Ships'. The LP features New Orleans' renowned jazz divas; Germaine Bazzle, Leah Chase, and Stephanie Jordan performing their favorite holiday tunes with the Music Alive Ensemble String Octet and Jazz Quintet. The LP is scheduled for online debut beginning on November 14, 2011 at www.RachelJordanMusic.com with hard the copy available for sale on Friday, November 25, 2011, perfect timing for stocking stuffing.

A live performance is scheduled for December 4, 2011 at 2nd Annual New Orleans Ladies of Jazz Holiday Concert at the University of New Orleans Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Details of the free concert will be released at a later date.

On the LP's title track; Bazzle, Chase, and Jordan join together offering their individual interpretation of I Saw Three Ship Come Sailing In as each take turns belting out notes in their respective signature sound backed by the ensemble. Germaine, Leah, and Stephanie are once again in perfect harmony leading the ensemble in an arrangement of local Emmy-Award pianist Mike Esneault on My Favorite Things; a tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music. This song also provides Marlon Jordan an opportunity to explore the vast range of his custom-built Monette trumpet, teasingly playing back and forth off the ladies in the tradition of call-and-response technique of earlier generations.

Kent Jordan's arrangement of Frank Looesser's What Are You Doing New Year's Eve is absolutely stunning and Germaine's delivery puts you in the mood for toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate (or even something a little stronger). In anticipation of the Gulf Coast's first cool breeze of the fall season, Leah swings with Irvin Berlin's I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.

Stephanie Jordan's awe inspiring performance on the Christmas classic The Little Drummer Boy is an excellent exhibition of her authoritative satin-like voice, enveloping the listeners with each phrase of 'pa rum pum pum pum' tugging at ones heart while placing one in a time warp as the percussion creates a sense of actual presence at the manger. As the story goes, "the lyrics tell of a poor young boy who, unable to afford a gift for the infant Jesus, plays his drum for the newborn with the Virgin Mary's approval. The newborn seems to understand and smiles at the boy in gratitude." Rachel's arrangement of Katherine K. Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone's composition is yet another version which is destined for acclaim.

Producer and classical violinist Rachel Jordan and the Music Alive Ensemble String Octet show their mantle on their recording of Christopher Crump's arrangement of Astor Piazzolla's Oblivion. This cut promises to give music lovers the urge to get up and dance the Tango. Incorporating elements from jazz and classical music; with reference to love, passion, and elegance, one truly understands why Rachel has dubbed her annual concert series 'Jazz Meets Classical, ' the LP as well should bear that designation.

Founded in 2002 by Rachel, the Music Alive Ensemble, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization is a blend of professional classical and jazz musicians, composers, arrangers and educators living in Louisiana dedicated to the ideal that music as art communicates the breadth, passion and intellect of society. Through concerts, artist demonstrations, and teaching workshops Music Alive Ensemble provides musicians, composers and arrangers a platform for artistic expression. Music Alive Ensemble 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 and encourage burgeoning artists and develop a supportive listening base for future generations of musicians, " adds Rachel.

The String Quartet includes Rachel Jordan, Violin; Amy Thiaville, Violin; Marjorie Garnier, Viola; and Gary Geslin, Cello while the Jazz Ensemble is comprised of Mike Esneault, Piano; Chris Severin, Bass, John Jones, Drums; Jonathan Bloom, Percussion; Kent Jordan, Flute and Marlon Jordan, Trumpet.

Rachel is a Professor of Music at Jackson State University and a member of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra in Houston, Texas. Ms. Jordan has served as adjunct faculty at Xavier University, Southern University, and Dillard University. She was also a member of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans. She received both her Bachelor of Music and her Master of Music from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland where she studied with Berl Senofsky.
Ms. Jordan has performed with her siblings for Jazz at Lincoln Center Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert. Rachel also performs on and is the executive producer of the Marlon Jordan featuring Stephanie Jordan CD titled "You Don't Know What Love Is." In addition, Ms. Jordan co-manages J Group Consulting, a family music management entity.

Rachel has been a featured performer in numerous solo recitals, most notably the Kennedy Center, the Mozart Festival in Salzburg, Austria, the Music Center of Houston, and the Mozart Festival in Washington, D.C. Most recently, Ms. Jordan performed "The Lark Ascending" with Jackson State University Orchestra for the Congressional Black Caucus inaugural ceremony of President Barack Obama.
While at Dillard University, Rachel Jordan started the Jesse Dent Recital series, which features African American Musicians performing classical music. Rachel is the fifth performer from a family of New Orleans bred musicians. She is the daughter of saxophonist Edward "Kidd" Jordan. Siblings include flutist Kent, trumpeter Marlon, and vocalist Stephanie Jordan.

Germaine Bazzle is often referred to as one of New Orleans' important jazz vocalists. After graduation from Xavier University of Louisiana, Germaine began a teaching career and entertaining in the same year, teaching during the day and playing bass in a local traditional jazz band at night. After 12 years as a teacher, she left the classroom and began singing with various bands in New Orleans. Three years later, she returned to the classroom, but continued to perform with such jazz greats as Alvin "Red" Tyler, Peter "Chuck" Badie, Victor Goines, bassist/vocalist, George French, pianist Ellis Marsalis, Emile Vinnette, Larry Siebert, David Torkanowsky and many more. Germaine can be heard on her CD entitled "Standing Ovation".

Leah Chase is the product of a very fertile creative environment. Her maternal namesake, Leah Sr., is an engaging dynamo of activity and chief chef at "Dooky Chase" Restaurant. Her father Edgar "Dooky" Chase was the leader of the "Dooky Chase Orchestra". Leah Chase graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans with a degree in Vocal Performance. She completed one year of graduate study at The Juilliard School in New York, before leaving to pursue her true love - Jazz. Leah can be heard on her CD entitled "At Last" and also on the Matt Lemmier CD "Portraits of Wonder". Leah is currently an Adjunct Faculty Member at the University of New Orleans, Tulane University, and Loyola University.

Stephanie Jordan performed the national anthem alongside Grammy Award winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis and guitarist Jonathan Dubose at the 2008 NBA All- Star Game in New Orleans. She has appeared live on NPR Talk of the Nation, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Marians Jazzroom in Bern Switzerland, St Croix Blue Bay Jazz Fest, Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge, Duke Ellington Festival, Washington D.C., Chicago JazzFest Heritage, Glenwood Springs, Co., the New Orleans Ladies of Jazz, Adagio's Jazz

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