~Positive pop and globally-conscious soul~
Living in southern Vermont and playing throughout the northeast, Derrik Jordan has sung national jingles, worked with many bands and has had his songs recorded by other artists, but what really excites him is writing, recording and performing his original music for people. “Creating live music is a sacred trust. That moment of ecstatic communion when performer and audience become one is one of life’s greatest experiences,” says Jordan.
As a recording artist, award-winning singer-songwriter and composer, multi-instrumentalist (electric violin, percussion, guitar and piano), producer and teacher, Jordan is used to wearing a lot of hats. “Brazilliance – Everyone Loves Brazil,” a 29 track double CD, showcases the best of his original sambas and bossa novas written over the past 3 decades in the classic and timeless Brazilian style. It contains a new recording of his song “Share Your Love,” first released by Angela Bofill in 1978 on her debut album for Arista Records.
“Expecting A Miracle,” an acoustic-pop-soul CD he co-produced with Tom “T-Bone” Wolk (Hall & Oates, Saturday Night Live Band), features top NYC musicians Marc Shulman and Ben Wittman on guitar and drums. “Speak Through Me” from the CD was awarded 1st place (Gospel-Inspirational) and 2nd place overall out of 32,000 songs in the 2004 USA Songwriting Competition, the world’s leading international song contest.
His CD “Touch The Earth,” an environmentally themed concept album, was produced by Jordan and he sings and plays most of the instruments on it. The songs are recorded in a variety of world music styles (reggae, afro-pop, samba, salsa and funk). “Something’s Gonna Change” from the CD won top honors as 2002 Reggae Song of the Year from Just Plain Folks, the world’s largest songwriter organization.
He has released two CDs under the name SuperString Theory (including 2007’s “SuperString Theory Goes To Senegal”), showcasing his 5-string electric violin in a variety of world fusion settings (African, Middle Eastern and Asian) with exotic instruments like hoddu, balafon, kora, didgeridoo and sitar and featuring award-winning NYC free jazz singer Lisa Sokolov and Ethiopian vocalist Helen Kerlin-Smith.
In 1992, Jordan made his national debut as a recording artist on “Right As Rain,” a CD benefiting the Rainforest Action Network that featured Jerry Garcia and Paul Winter. He has studied percussion with master drummer Milford Graves and composition with Henry Brant at Bennington College. In his journey to further develop his craft he has traveled to Brazil, Trinidad, Ghana and Senegal. He has produced jazz, spoken word, Native American and award-winning folk and children’s independent recordings for others. He performs in many bands including Tony Vacca and the World Rhythms Ensemble, Impulse Ensemble, Zabap!, Simba, Funkytown and Natural History.
His first commissioned world fusion/classical piece for string orchestra and percussion, "Four Unknowns," was performed by the Sage City Symphony in Bennington, VT on February 24, 2008. "Sky Mirror" a piece composed for shakuhachi, string quartet and electric guitar won the Shakuhachi Chamber Music International Prize 2008. The Vermont Symphony Orchestra commissioned him to write a piece for their 2009 Made In Vermont Fall Festival Tour, which was performed in 10 venues around Vermont in the fall of 2009.
Derrik Jordan: Bio
World Fusion/Classical Music
World fusion/classical works by Derrik Jordan
"Odzihozo And The Lake" (2009) for chamber orchestra - 12 minutes in one movement. Commissioned by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra for their "2009 Made In Vermont" Fall Festival Tour and their 75th anniversary. Performed in ten venues around Vermont in the fall of 2009.
"Welcome Santo" (2009) for string quartet, kalimba and shekere - 16 minutes with optional short improvised solos for kalimba and shekere between movements. In three movements: Mbiraland, Gratitude For The Earth And Sky, That Buzzing Is The Ancestors Singing.
"Thorn Forest Walkabout" (2009) for two cellos and dumbek - 4 minutes. World premiere March 15, 2009 in NYC by Jessie Reagen, Eugene Carr (cellos) and David Buchbut on dumbek.
"Five Gamelans For Brass Quintet" (2008) for 2 Bb trumpets, french horn, trombone and tuba - 16:30 minutes. In five movements: The Clown Prince, Orchid Forest, Shadow Puppets, Mountain Of The Gods And Goddesses, The Masked Dancer Retells An Ancient Tale.
"Walk In Beauty" (2008) for woodwind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, french horn and bassoon) 4 minutes. An instrumental arrangement of Derrik Jordan's original Brazilian samba (with lyrics) of the same name.
"Sky Mirror" (2008) for string quartet, shakuhachi and electric guitar with effects - 13 minutes. Winner of the Shakuhachi Chamber Music International Prize 2008. In three movements: Floating Clouds, Stirs The Surface, Everything Is Alive. World premiere in Melbourne, Australia Dec 13, 2008.
"Four Unknowns" (2008) for string orchestra and percussion (timpani, marimba and cymbals) - 25 minutes. In four movements: Dark Matter, Tipping Point, Quantum Chaos, Monkey Mind. World premiere by The Sage City Symphony, Bennington, VT, Feb 24, 2008. Commissioned by the Sage City Symphony.
Discography
"SuperString Theory Goes To Senegal" (2007)
West African world fusion extravaganza written and recorded in Senegal and Vermont. Produced by Derrik Jordan, Worldsoul Records W0042
"Brazilliance - Everyone Loves Brazil" (2006)
Double CD retrospective collection of 26 original sambas and bossa novas. Produced by Derrik Jordan, Worldsoul Records W0041
"SuperString Theory - Exotic Duets and Improvisations" (2003).
Instrumental CD featuring 5-string electric violin. Produced by Derrik Jordan, Worldsoul Records WOO38
"Touch The Earth" (2002)
13 original songs, full band arrangements with horns.
Produced by Derrik Jordan, Worldsoul Records WOO37
"Expecting A Miracle" (1997)
Acoustic-pop-soul. 11 original songs. Produced by Tom "T-Bone" Wolk and Derrik Jordan, Worldsoul Records W0033
From "Right As Rain" (1992)
A CD to benefit the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) and sponsored by Ben & Jerry's Rainforest Crunch Contains 2 of my songs - "Touch The Earth" singer, writer, producer, "Choose Your Weapon" singer, co-written with and produced by Al Mack GWE 001
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Cuts
(Derrik Jordan's songs recorded by others)
"Ain't No Use" (2004), The Embers (artist) sung by Jerry Tellier, co-written by Derrik Jordan and Stephanie Lewis, Bluewater Recordings, from "Beach Music Super Collaboration Album," BLWR1001
"Harder Than It Has To Be" (2004), The Embers (artist), sung by Mark Black, co-written by Derrik Jordan and Stephanie Lewis, Bluewater Recordings from the album "Beach Music Super Collaboration Album" BLWR1001
"Whatever It Takes" (2002), O. C. Smith (artist), co-written by Derrik Jordan and Brian Hobbs, Rubyjude Records, Special collector's Limited Edition, from the album titled "I Give My Heart to You"
"Por Um Beijo Seu" (2000) Urban Oasis (artist), co-written by Derrik Jordan, Marjorie Pivar and Patricia Wilson. Quilombo QR53061
"Hooked On You" (1999), Lisa Molina (artist), co-written with Maria Christensen and Stephanie Lewis, Wave/ WVD-9502, from her album "My Love Will Be There"
"Too Much To Ask" (1999), Lisa Molina (artist) co-written by Derrik Jordan and Bette Sussman, Wave/WVD-9502, from the album "My Love Will Be There"
"Love To Spare" (1999), Stockwell Bros. (artist), from the CD, "Leave My Dreams Alone"
"All Around The World" (1999), Stockwell Bros (artist), co-written with Bryant Urban, from their CD "Leave My Dreams Alone"
"Is Anybody Out There?" (1993) Urban Speech (artist), co-written by Derrik Jordan and Danny Madden, Reprise 945152-2, from the CD "Do Something"
"Peace" (1992) Stockwell Bros (artist), from the CD "Sto Bro"
"Love Me For Today" (1984) Angela Bofill (artist), co-written by Derrik Jordan, Angela Bofill and Alan Palanker, Arista AL8-8258 from her album "Let Me Be The One"
"Share Your Love" (1978) Angela Bofill (artist), Arista GRP 5000, from the album "Angie"
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CD Production for other artists -
Tom Neilson - "Biomess" (2009) producer, violin, bass, percussion
Tom Neilson - "Another Pacifist Under Surveillance" (2007), producer, violin, bass, harmonica
Tom Neilson - "When Freedom is Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Be Free" (2005) producer, violin, bass, percussion, background vocals
King Happy - "In MY Country" (2004) producer, composed all the music to this controversial spoken word CD and played keyboards, percussion, violin, guitar, bass and sang background vocals
Tom Neilson - "Living On The Maximum Wage" (2004) producer, violin, percussion
"Simba" - (2003) producer, artist, Includes Derrik's songs "Prisoner," "Everyone Loves Brazil" and "Peace", percussion, guitar, bass, vocals, keys
Natural History - "Great Apes Of Vermont" (2003) Derrik Jordan, Jared Shapiro, Barry Hyman (artists), producer WOO39
Tom Neilson - "Spirit Of Justice" (2002) producer, violin, percussion, vocals, piano
Natural History - "Native Tongues" (2000) Derrik Jordan, Jared Shapiro, Barry Hyman (artists), producer Worldsoul W0036
Red Thunder Cloud - "Songs and Legends of the Catawba" (2000), double CD, producer, Lost Gold Records/ Worldsoul LGR 1750
Gary Rosen - "Teddy Bear's Picnic" (1999), producer, violin, percussion, background vocals, GMR 61206-39902-2
Lisa Sokolov - "Angel Rodeo" (1993), producer, violin, LHR 1007
Derrik Jordan - "Waterworld" (1988), writer, producer, Ultrasonic
Biscuit Davis - "Playing On The Moon" (1974), writer, co-writer, vocals, violin, guitar, Flying Dutchman
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Other Recordings (selected):
William Ackerman - "Meditations" (2008) percussion, Lifescapes (Artists of Note)
Tony Vacca - "Senegal-America Project" (2007), electric violin, background vocals, co-writer with Tony Vacca of "Tarot Card" World Rhythms WR0601
Jeff Oster - "True" (2007), djembe, quica, guiro, Retso Records RR11003
Dana Cunningham - "The Color of Light" (2006), percussion, Fountain Creek Music FC92321
Karen Marie Garrett - "It's About The Rose" (2006), electric violin, percussion Waterstreet Records
Jo Sallins - "Mr. Cool" (2004), electric violin on Mr. Cool's Journey and Lunar Melons (composed by Derrik Jordan)
Jo Sallins - "Bass In Ya Face" (2004), electric violin, quica, LaJaz Productions, Jaz-10
Radio Free (2003), Radio Free Brattleboro (various artists), cut #8 - "Invitation To Ecstasy," electric violin
Lisa McCormick - "Mystery Girl" (2003), percussion
Will Ackerman - "Hearing Voices" (2001), percussion, Windham Hill 01934-11608-2
Sue Maskelaris - "Unbreakable Heart" (2001), background vocals, Jazilian Records j103-71
NRBQ - "30th Anniversay" (1999) - engineer, Rounder Records 11661-3166-2
T-Bone Wolk and Frank Morgan - "Beautiful World" (1999), percussion, background vocals,
Gary Rosen - "Cookin" (1996), background vocals, percussion, GMR 61206
"Fields Of Gold" (1995) lead vocal, (video) Your Personal Best With Elle MacPherson
Angela Bofill - "I Wanna Love Somebody" (1993), background vocals on "Te Amo" Jive 01241-4151-2
Liz Queler - "River Of Time" (1994), background vocals, Red Wall RW-2923