Meet Jordan Laurenti

We were lucky to catch up with Jordan Laurenti recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jordan, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
“My creativity mainly stays alive by feeding the fire. I draw inspiration from my favorite pastime artists and the music that inspired me from the very beginning: Bob Marley, Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, John Mayer, and Phish. I feel that it’s important to always go back to what first inspired you and listen to those songs. I listen to multiple artists, and I am still discovering new artists daily, but sometimes an old walk down memory lane can really reignite the flame of creativity and the sense of passion that got me started in the first place.

Creativity can really get a spark from watching other local, unknown, or underground musicians doing it purely for the love of the craft. Everyone is on a unique journey, and it inspires me to continue pushing on mine.

I believe education is important for continued creativity, whether it’s learning how to play a new song, how to produce, or learning how to edit a video or even how to cook something new. It will always create new pathways for that creativity to flow.”

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Certainly! Here’s the updated response with the additional side note:

“I am a full-time solo musician, performing live music at various events, mostly at bars, hotels, parties, and private events. I’m commonly recognized as ‘that guy with the top hat’ singing pop and oldie covers in the corner of the room. As a one-man band, I use drum machines and guitar pedals to create the sound of a full band behind me. This includes an octave pedal for the bass, an overdrive/amp simulator pedal for an electric feel, and a loop machine to accompany myself. I also incorporate voice harmonies and loops, creating the effect of a choir supporting my performance.

In addition to my live performances, I’ve been continuously working on releasing my own original music under the name ‘J Bay Music.’ J Bay is short for ‘Jeffreys Bay’ in South Africa. The name holds personal significance as I did missionary work there when I was 18, and it was a transformative experience. The name also pays homage to my cousin Jeffrey, who has been battling illness for most of his life. Combining these elements, I chose the name ‘Jeffreys Bay,’ eventually shortened to ‘J Bay.’

In November 2023, along with my cousin Cody Saunders, we released the first two tracks from my new EP called ‘Iridescent.’ The premise behind this project is to convey a message of hope to those struggling with mental health problems, emphasizing that they are still significant and iridescent. The remaining two tracks of the EP will be released by spring 2024.

Our website has launched, providing links to all our music and details about upcoming gigs. It’s worth noting that we did everything from the ground up with no outside help, including the recording, mixing, and every aspect of the project. Additionally, we created a short film for the music video ‘Iridescent,’ which is available on the website www.Jbaymusic.com

We have been living off of music and deliberately going against societal norms. Our main goal is to reach the hopeless and uplift those we can. I truly believe that this mission is what’s been keeping us afloat.”

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Getting out of your comfort zone: I was stuck in my Long Island bubble for 26 years before venturing out to travel and see the world, eventually deciding to move to Florida. While I still have much to see, I believe it’s great to move to another state or place, even if it’s just across town, to change your perspective, meet new people, learn how to be self-sufficient, and develop good work habits in an unfamiliar environment.

Learn how to network: Learning to connect with other people in your field who are doing great things can boost your own endeavors. If someone shows interest in your craft, get to know their name and see if you can help each other. Even small gestures like liking each other’s posts on social media can be a great start to a lifelong friendship. Most of the hard lessons I’ve learned were from friends in the same field as mine.

Education: I attended a community college for a few years. Although I don’t have a degree, I wanted to study film. You don’t necessarily have to go to an Ivy League school to follow your dreams. While it might make things easier, creativity doesn’t ask if you have a diploma. I spent years learning and writing songs to sculpt my own style. Now, as a voice and guitar teacher, I’m happy to share my knowledge with beginner and intermediate musicians and singers while continuing to learn. The more I learn, the more I realize that education is a gift that no one can take away from you. I wish I had spent more time soaking up that knowledge, so don’t be afraid to learn and observe others doing what you want to do, even if it’s just listening to interviews.
In conclusion, be a good human and care about other people’s art the way you would want them to care about yours.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
“The most impactful thing my parents did for me was involving me in church throughout my adolescent life. Although I was a rebel for most of it and acted up regularly, just being around a strong community of people showed me the world through a lens that many people don’t get to experience. It also instilled in me a discipline of treating people kindly and respectfully, following the golden rule of treating others how I would want to be treated.

While it wasn’t an easy childhood, it was full of love and joy. I am grateful for the foundation it provided, allowing me to build my character. I’m far from perfect, but I am thankful I had some sort of balance and structure that helped me cope as an adult with the complexities of life. Additionally, it was filled with lots of music and dancing. I believe that being part of a community can be extremely helpful for a creative person, so I soaked up as much as I could.”

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Amanda Smith Photography Jordan Laurenti

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