Derrik Jordan:
    Let the Buyer Beware

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, 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,” his just released double CD, showcases the best of his original sambas and bossa novas written in the classic Brazilian style. It contains his new recording of “Share Your Love,” originally released by Angela Bofill in 1978 for Arista Records on her first album.

“Expecting A Miracle,” a CD he co-produced with Tom “T-Bone” Wolk (Hall and Oates, Saturday Night Live Band), features some top NYC musicians including guitarist Marc Shulman and drummer Ben Wittman. “Speak Through Me” from the CD was awarded 1st place (Gospel) and 2nd place overall in the 2004 USA Songwriting Competition, the world’s leading international song contest, out of 32,000 songs.

His CD “Touch The Earth” was self-produced and he sings and plays most of the instruments on it. It samples a variety of world music styles (reggae, afro-pop, samba, salsa and funk) and has an environmental theme. “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.

In 1992, Jordan made his national debut as a recording artist on “Right As Rain,” a CD benefiting the Rainforest Action Network that also featured Jerry Garcia, Paul Winter, Mickey Hart and Beausoleil. He has studied congas with master drummer Milford Graves and has traveled to Brazil, Trinidad, Ghana and Senegal, West Africa to further develop his craft. He has produced jazz, folk, Native American and award-winning children’s independent recordings. He performs with many bands including Tony Vacca’s World Rhythms, Jo Sallins Three Man Quartet and Natural History. “SuperString Theory,” his first all instrumental CD, showcases his 5-string electric violin in improvised duets with balafon, kora, didgeridoo, sitar, cello and features NYC free jazz singer Lisa Sokolov.
http://www.derrikjordan.com