Stephanie Jordan amazed at Katrina 10 Signature Commemorative Event

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Just as she had ten years ago at an event held at Jazz at Lincoln Center dedicated to the victim and survivors of hurricane Katrina, jazz vocalist Stephanie Jordan helped frame the moment of the evening at "The Power of Community: Katrina 10 Commemoration" on August 29, 2015 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

Jordan said "I was honored to have been asked by Mayor Mitch Landrieu to sing the classic tune "Home" from the Broadway musical "The Wiz" during the commemoration. I struggled with the idea of including "Home" on my tribute CD to Lena Horne. But at that time the tune was too emotional for me to sing publicly so chose only to include "Believe in Yourself" and allowed that tune to carry me through my rebuilding efforts.

"During my days of wandering through the streets of my temporary home in Silver Spring, Maryland following hurricane Katrina, I would constantly sing both songs to myself. Vividly recalling how Glinda, the Good Witch of the South (Lena Horne), would sing to Dorothy (Diana Ross); "Believe that you can go home..." and Dorothy closing with the classic "Home."

Here we are ten years later and now I can finally sing the words:

When I think of home
I think of a place where there's love overflowing
I wish I was home
I wish I was back there with the things I been knowing…

If you're list'ning God
Please don't make it hard to know
If we should believe in the things that we see
Tell us, should we run away
Should we try and stay
Or would it be better just to let things be?"

"I hope to convey the spirit and steadfast faith of the people of New Orleans through my music and in particular the message of this song" said Jordan.

Accompanied by Emmy-award winning arranger Mike Esneault on piano, the Stephanie Jordan Big Band included members Marlon Jordan and Bobby Campo on trumpet, Clarence Johnson and Trevarri Huff-Boone on sax, BJ McGibney on trombone, Chris Severin on bass, Charlie Denard on keyboard, drummer Miles Labat, and Rachel Jordan, Amy Thiaville, and Danielle Ryce on violins, she delivered an amazing performance which resulted in the audience responding with a heartfelt standing ovation.

During the keynote address, former President Bill Clinton declared his love for this City and particularly his love for jazz. He called for a "new unity" in New Orleans and reminded the audience that "the word 'community' contains the word 'unity.' This community would not be broken. Your heritage runs deep. Thank you for your spirit of resilience. Thank you for being an inspiration to America."

The event was hosted by award-winning journalist Soledad O'Brien and held on the official anniversary of Katrina's landfall, at the Smoothie King Center. In addition to the Stephanie Jordan Big Band, musical and cultural performance included Multi-Grammy nominated R&B and jazz recording artist Ledisi; Grammy winners Rebirth Brass Band; John Boutte; Tonya Boyd Cannon, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux; Warren Easton Charter High School Marching Band and Dumpstaphunk.

Other speakers included Louisiana's Congressman Cedric Richmond, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California), and a host of faith leaders and advocates who over the last ten years helped the City recover from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Earlier during the day, more than 10, 000 volunteers took part in volunteer projects throughout the city. Among those in attendance were former Louisiana Governor, Kathleen Blanco, former US Senator Mary Landrieu; Representatives Shelia Jackson Lee and Maxine Waters; Councilmembers Susan Guidry, Jared Brossett, and James Gray; Jefferson Parish President John Young, Plaquemines Parish President Amos Cormier, Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess, and a number of other New Orleans area elected officials.

Stephanie Jordan, whom critics have placed in the company of Diana Krall and Dianne Reeves, began to receive noted prominence following the national televised Jazz at Lincoln Center Higher Ground Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert for victims of Hurricane Katrina. "On that memorable night; none sang with greater authority or emotional resonance than Stephanie Jordan, who enthralled the packed house and a national PBS NPR audience of millions with an ascendant reading of "Here's To Life."

Bill Milkowski of JazzTimes magazine continued, "Stephanie Jordan, a standout here, was the real discovery of the evening. Her haunting rendition of this bittersweet ode associated with Shirley Horn was delivered with uncanny poise and a depth of understated soul that mesmerized the crowd and registered to the back rows. Singing with a clarity of diction that recalled Nat "King" Cole . . ."

Recognized internationally, the Sud Ouest French publication calls her "unbelievably superb." The Washingtonian Magazine labeled her "JAZZHOT." Audix Microphones has dubbed her "Lady Jazz!"

Jordan is the fifth performer to emerge from a family of New Orleans bred musicians. As the daughter of saxophonist Sir Edward "Kidd" Jordan, Stephanie's musical roots run deep. Her siblings include flutist Kent, trumpeter Marlon, and classical violinist Rachel Jordan. A graduate of Howard University, Stephanie is also a certified fitness instructor and creator of the exercise technique known as Jazz Pilates.

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