In the 1963 DownBeat magazine Critics Poll, Sheila Jordan was ranked first in the vocal category for “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition,” and later that year her debut album Portrait of Sheila was released on the Blue Note label. This was despite  the fact that the label had up until that time had a policy of not recording vocalists. After this album she did not record again as a leader for more than a dozen years. The recording session took place on October 12, 1962.

Portrait of Sheila consisted of twelve tracks and featured sidemen Barry Galbraith on guitar, Steve Swallow on bass and drummer Denzil Best. In his review, critic Scott Yanow wrote “Jordan sounds quite distinctive, cool-toned, and adventurous during her classic date. Her interpretations of Hum Drum Blues and eleven standards are both swinging and haunting.” AllMusic.com lists “Portrait of Sheila” as one of the best albums of 1963.

Here is a link to a track from "Portrait of Sheila:"

"DAT DERE"