Vocalist, songwriter and pianist Sheila Jordan grew up in Summerhill, Pennsylvania before returning to her birthplace of Detroit, Michigan where she was born on November 18, 1928. During her career Jordan recorded as a session musician with an array of critically acclaimed artists in addition to recording her own albums. Jordan pioneered a bebop scat singing style with an acoustic bass as the only accompaniment. Her music has earned praise from many critics, particularly for her ability to improvise lyrics.

Jordan sang and played piano in jazz clubs in Detroit and was a member of the trio Skeeter, Mitch, and Jean which wrote and performed lyrics to music by Charlie Parker. They went to Parker's performances in Detroit, met him, and he would ask them to sing.

In 1951, Jordan moved to New York City and studied harmony and music theory with Lennie Tristano and Charles Mingus, but she concentrated on the music of Parker, and Jordan and Parker became friends. She referred to him as one of her teachers. In 1952 she married Duke Jordan who played piano in Parker's band.

In the early 1960s she performed and recorded with George Russell, Herbie Nichols and Steve Kuhn and recorded her first record as a leader for Blue Note in 1962. Jordan then took a hiatus from the club scene to raise her daughter and work as a legal secretary. In the 1970’s she worked with Lee Konitz, Carla Bley and Roswell Rudd, and taught at the City College of New York from 1978 until 2005. Jordan was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2012. Sheila Jordan passed away this past August at the age of 96.

Here is a link to Jordan singing about her life:

"MUSIC SAVED MY LIFE"