Stephanie Jordan kicks off Gentilly Fest 2014

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The 7th annual Gentilly Fest begins on Friday, October 10, 2014 at 6:00 pm with a kick-off concert sponsored by Capital One Bank and will feature New Orleans jazz vocalist Stephanie Jordan. The three day free festival will be held on October 10th, 11th and 12th and is located at Pontchartrain Park playground at the corner of Press and Prentiss Drive. This year the festival will celebrate all things New Orleans by showcasing many of the city's great musicians. Stephanie Jordan is consistently praised for her poise, elegance, and soulful articulation. She draws frequent comparisons to her mentor-the legendary jazz chanteuse Shirley Horn-as well as Abbey Lincoln, and Carmen McRae. Critics have also likened Ms. Jordan to jazz stars Diana Krall and Nancy Wilson.

As a late minute replacement for Grammy Award-winning singer Leis led Chicago Tribune's leading art critic Howard Reich to proclaim, "The woman can sing … bringing heft to music of the Gershwin's and Cole Porter without pushing volume levels. Clearly she values plush sound and knows how to produce it." Music critic James Walker added, "Stephanie Jordan . . . stepped in and simply mesmerized the near capacity Harris Theater crowd with a sparkling performance."

Jordan whose musical career began in the DC area has performed on such stellar stages as the Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the NBA All-Star Game, Chicago's Harris Theater, the Marians Jazzroom in Bern, Switzerland, the inaugural International Jazz Day which was celebrated by millions worldwide during an all-star sunrise concert in New Orleans' Congo Square that included jazz luminaries Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Ellis Marsalis, and others.

Stephanie Jordan had the honor of performing as featured singer during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Gala which included the presence of President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama; she has sang before Vice President Joe Biden, as well as being selected to sing to Stevie Wonder during the National Urban League's 2012 National Conference. Jordan also sang at the private celebration 'Oprah Winfrey and Friends of Susan Taylor' at New York City's ESPACE in honor of Susan Taylor's years of service to Essence magazine, and performed the National Anthem for the NBA All-Star Game. Jordan has served as US Jazz Ambassadors' on a European Tour to Bucharest, Germany, Lithuania and Ukraine on behalf of the U.S. Department of State and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Jordan appears in a singing role in Lee Daniels' production of "The Paperboy" singing a featured tune, the movie co-stars Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and John Cusack among others. Jordan also recorded a tune for the 2013 remake of the film "Heat" which stars Jason Statham and Sofia Vergara. In 1995 Stephanie Jordan performed the title soundtrack "Season's Start" in the Tribecca Film release of Café Society staring Lara Flynn Boyle and Peter Gallagher.

Her self-produced debut CD; "Stephanie Jordan Sings A Tribute to the Fabulous Lena Horne; Yesterday When I Was Young" which honors the legendary Grammy Award winner is her most current album. The "Christmas with the New Orleans Ladies of Jazz" CD produced by her sister Rachel Jordan features New Orleans' renowned jazz divas; Germaine Bazzle, Leah Chase, and Stephanie Jordan performing their favorite holiday tunes with the Music Alive Ensemble. Stephanie's silky vocals are also featured on Marlon Jordan's "You Don't Know What Love Is" album and Kent Jordan's "Out of This World" CD.

Recognized internationally, the Sud Ouest French publication calls her "unbelievably superb." The Washingtonian Magazine labeled her "JAZZHOT."

On Saturday, the Main Stage performances include the Kyndra Joi and the Soul Theory Band, African Drums-McCormick Family, Robin Barnes, Gina Brown, Kermit Ruffins and Mike "Soulman" Baptiste. The Sunday concerts include Gavin Bell & Gary Palmer, Michaela Harrison, Wes Raymond & the Soul Factory and closing out with the Brass-a-holics.

On Saturday and Sunday the very popular Gospel Tent sponsored by St. Thomas Community Health Center will feature soulful performances by local choirs from throughout the city. Some of these choir's include: Holy Cross, St. Raymond / St. Leo, Zulu Ensemble, Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir, Pentecost Baptist, Abundant Life Tabernacle, Inspirational Gospel Singers, Myia Rene (Dillard University), Men of Bethel Colony South and Zion Harmonizers.

Of course there will be delicious food and Arts & Crafts from local vendors and the amazing Entergy New Orleans Kids Stage and Kids Village with face painting and activities for everyone. While you're at the festival don't forget to get medical screenings by the Daughters of Charity Health Services.

The 2014 Gentilly Fest sponsors include: Capital One Bank, Walmart, Bud Light, Entergy of New Orleans, St. Thomas/Columbia Parc Health Center, Daughters of Charity Health Centers, Liberty Bank, Cox, Riley Foods, Rhodes Funeral Home, Gentilly Shopping Center, Urban League of Greater New Orleans, Metro Disposal, Sheriff Marlin Gusman, New Orleans City Council District D Jared Brossett, New Orleans Musicians Assistance Foundation, Dillard University CDC, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the City of New Orleans, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Assessor Erroll G. Williams, State Senators JP Morrell, Edwin R. Murray, AllStar Animal Clinic, Lambert Boissiere, Greenup & Associates LLC, Harrah's Casino, Louisiana Children's Museum, NOPD, NOFD, NORDC, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, and the Musicians Clinic.

No pets, food or drinks are allowed on the festival grounds during the 3 day event.

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