We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jordan Blackburn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jordan, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Funny story. When I was about seven or eight years old, I watched the Disney movie “Camp Rock.” The finale had all the characters singing and dancing on this big stage, and it looked like so much fun. I remember thinking, “That’s what I want to do.” The next year, I joined chorus and then moved on to playing the alto sax in band. From there, it was guitar, keyboarding, and voice lessons. And then in 2016, I participated in an international talent competition in Orlando. I was so nervous that my voice was cracking all over the place during practice and my movements were stiff and uncoordinated. But when I stepped onto the stage under the lights in front of that huge audience, everything fell into place. The voice cracks were gone. I engaged with the crowd. Suddenly, the choreography flowed, and all my awkwardness disappeared. That’s the moment when I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that entertaining is my purpose, my passion, my calling.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m an R&B singer/songwriter/producer and recording engineer. I enjoyed the challenge of composing, performing, and producing the tracts on my debut album “Abnormal Hues” (2023) and self-titled second EP (2024). It’s exciting to collaborate with other artists, brainstorming and sharing creative energy. I’m currently working on my third project and looking forward to working with other artists.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
As a singer, vocal skill is always most important, and the best ways to develop and improve your voice is to find a great vocal coach and practice constantly. I’m still early in my career as an entertainer, so I’m still learning. But I’d say that one of the most important qualities is being able to handle rejection and not take it personally or let it shake your confidence. You also have to be willing to keep going no matter what.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing that both my parents did for me was set good examples. They’re both hard-working and prioritize education. They also both overcame pretty incredible challenges and still managed to accomplish things that a lot of people only dream of. My mom instilled in me the belief that I can do anything I set my mind to. I was in an accelerated degree program in college. Between classes, labs, homework, and portfolio projects, I put in 60+ hours a week for two and a half years. There were a lot of times that I was so overwhelmed that I wanted to quit. But thinking about my parents’ perseverance and resilience inspired me to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jordanblackbu.bandcamp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanblackbu/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JordanBlackbu
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jordanblackbu?lang=en
Image Credits
Collin Frye Media
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