Stephanie Jordan performs at Louis Armstrong Park

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People United for Armstrong Park presents Stephanie Jordan on Thursday, October 23, at 5:00 PM during the Jazz in the Park series which is held at the Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans. Stephanie will be joined by Marlon Jordan on trumpet, Michael Pierce on saxophone, Chris Severin on bass, Chuck Chaplin on piano, and Peter Varnado on drums. Jordan's act precedes Los Hombres Calientes featuring Bill Summers and Irvin Mayfield. Admission to the Jazz in the Park series is free and open to the public. 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."

Aside from the music, Jazz in the Park has fourteen food vendors serving some of the city's best festival fare and eighteen arts and crafts vendors offering original, handcrafted items. As in previous seasons, the Marketplace at Armstrong Park, in cooperation with the Institute of Community Development, opens at 3:00 pm and is available for food and grocery purchases until 8:00 pm. Second lines are once again a welcome and integral part of the Jazz in the Park experience, and each week a different social aid and pleasure club will strut their stuff beginning at 4:00 pm.

The kids' craft and play area is available to offer enriching activities and fun while families attend the Jazz in the Park shows. There will also be a spacewalk and face-painting artist on hand.

About PUfAP:
The People United for Armstrong Park is a volunteer-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that led the community effort to re-open Armstrong Park. Our primary work focuses on coordinating and collaborating with individuals and institutions to catalyze Armstrong Park into a premier hub for the city's cultural economy. We aim to connect individuals in the community to their culture and history by establishing the park as a nurturing, living environment for the arts, and provide opportunities to ensure their success and accomplishments in their chosen craft. Please visit www.armstrongpark.org for more information.

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