MUSIC EXECUTIVE: JAMES JORDAN

Born to Robert and Naomi Jordan in Cheraw, South Carolina, Jordan, with a love for music, began his career at the age of ten working in his brother in-law’s B & L's Record store in New Haven, sweeping floors and in later years to come managing the store, until he finally decided to open and establish his own record store in New Haven called Black Wax Records.

 After two years of operating his store and attending college for Communications, the radio bug took over, giving him a "wanting" to become a radio announcer like his idol Frankie "Hollywood" Crocker, also known as, "The Chief Rocker". In efforts to build a reputation and break onto the airwaves for broadcasting, Jordan began working as a DJ at events and parties throughout the tri-state area, as well as up and down the East Coast. His hard work, knowledge of music and commitment to excellence paid off when Jordan was soon hired to work for Yale University as an announcer for their Urban Adult Contemporary radio station WYBC-FM and later working for WHNC-AM in New Haven. Jordan took WHNC-AM from a 0.08 rated station to 8.1 rated station in just four rating periods.

Jordan acquired the nickname "Jazzy" in Oklahoma City after a "warm summer night" out for dancing while he was enlisted in the military. Jordan states that he danced with his male friend's girlfriend who stated to him, "too bad I'm involved with your friend because I really like you... you're really jazzy." Intrigued by her statement, Jordan eventually looked up the word "jazzy" in the dictionary, which was defined as, "a character, someone out of the norm, not an everyday person." Upon his liking, Jordan tagged the word to his name and the birth of "Jazzy Jordan" followed him throughout his DJ, radio and music career up to date.

 Over his 30-year career, Jordan has worked in a variety of areas within the music industry such as marketing, promotions, radio broadcasting, and retail. These experiences gave him a 360-degree view of the music business and uniquely equipped him to shepherd artists to success, which has led to countless award-winning CDs for artists ranging from Will Smith to Kirk Franklin.

1987-1989: Tommy Boy Years

Breaking out from the world of radio, Jordan received a phone call from Monica Lynch, who was the President of Tommy Boy Records at the time, offering him a position as the National Director of Promotions for Tommy Boy Records. Upon his arrival, Jordan delivered the seven-year-old label its only #1 R&B hit, "Love Is A House" from the Force MD's third album Touch and Go, topping the charts for two weeks.

1989-1992: RCA years

Working in his position as National Director of Black Music Promotion for RCA, Jordan helped with the success of Kool Moe Dee's second and third album, How Ya Like Me Now and Knowledge Is King. How You Like Me Now was Kool Moe Dee's most successful album, achieving platinum status. Knowledge Is King went gold but received great accolades for I Go To Work, which is considered to be the most pinnacle of his work, illustrating quick lyrical delivery with a strong message. 

1992-1995: PolyGram years

Spearheading eight labels for PolyGram, Jordan played a role in the success of Salt N’ Pepa's Very Necessary album. Jordan helped them to receive their first Grammy Award-winning album, selling over 5 millions copies. The trio won the Best Rap Performance in 1995 for their single "None Of Your Business", making them the first female rap Grammy winners. In 1993, Jordan worked with Will Downing, bringing Love's the Place to Be album to his best-selling album to date. Downing would later become a Grammy Award-winning nominee for his All The Man You Need album for Best Traditional R&B.

In 1992, Jordan worked with PM Dawn on the success and release of their second album, The Bliss Album...?. Crossing over into film, the album's, I'd Die Without You, went #1 on the Billboard charts after being featured in Eddie Murphy's 1992 comedy, Boomerang and its soundtrack. Jordan also contributed to the success of X-Clan's second album, Xodus, which peaked at #11 on the Billboard charts.

1995–2000: Zomba Music Group/Jive years

Being named as the Vice President of Black Music Marketing at Jive Records, Jordan has worked with artists such as DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (Will Smith), who on their second studio album, He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper, debuted the song, "Parents Just Don’t Understand", which sold over 4 million copies. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989, one of only two acts to win that award. Jordan has worked with Joe^] on his platinum selling albums, All That I Am and My Name Is Joe, which became his best selling album to date, selling over 3 million copies. Jordan also worked on three of R. Kelly CD's titled R. Kelly, R., and TP-2.com, helping him to sell more than three million copies each.

Jordan not only played a vital role in the label’s success in urban music, he also helped to launch Verity Records and catapult it into the most successful gospel record label to date. Transforming Verity Records from two artists consisting of John P. Kee and Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Jordan turned the label into a multi-platinum-selling empire from the start, leading them into receiving their first gold album from John P. Kee's, Show Up!.

1995–present: Verity Gospel Music Group years

Currently as the Executive Vice President and General Manager for Verity Gospel Music Group, which is also the parent label for GospoCentric Records, Fo-Yo Soul Entertainment, Quiet Water Entertainment, F. Hammond Music and New Life Records, Jordan lends his business acumen and expertise to the consistently successful label. 

Since his return to the label, Jordan continues to lead VGMG to victory as the Top Gospel album label. He has served as executive producer for GRAMMY®, Stellar and Dove award-winning projects such as Kirk Franklin's The Fight Of My Life album, Marvin Sapp's Thirsty and Here I Am album, Donnie McClurkin's Live In London album, John P. Kee's Show Up album and many others.