SIMPLY SIX: Jordyn Jackson

Jordyn Jackson is a singer/songwriter from Jacksonville Florida.


1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer.  For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later.  Is there such a defining moment for you?

Yes.  When I was in 8th grade, I went to a very small Christian school.  I was overheard singing on the playground by Louis Pecci, a student's father who owned a design firm in Jacksonville, FL.  Louis gave me the gift of studio time for my 8th grade graduation.  As soon as I stepped foot in the recording studio, I knew that I wanted to be a professional singer.

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to?  Who are some of your favorites?

I have a very wide spectrum of favorites: Led Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails, Ours, Christina Aguilera, Pink Floyd, Whitney Houston (I learned to sing by emulating her voice), Eva Cassidy, Billie Holiday, Brandi Carlile...The list goes on!

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

There's no way I could pick just one!  In 2005, I visited a friend in Bordighera, Italy, and ended up meeting a promoter who booked me for 2 months along the Mediterranean.  The performances in Italy are definitely my all-time favorite live memories.

Recording "September in the Garden" in New Orleans takes the recording cake.  Everyone involved in the recording process exceeded my expectations and created an experience I'll never be able to duplicate. 

4.  Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to?   How much can music influence current events?

The belief that music can change the world, and the hearts of the people in it, is what fuels my pursuit of a music career.  People remember lyrics after listening to a song once or twice, but how many people remember a speech made by a politician?  I think that artists take for granted the influence they have over their listeners, and this world would be a much better place if our musicians would focus their creative energy on making a positive difference.

5. How has technology affected the music industry?  How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Technology, like most things, can be used for the good or the bad.  In the music industry, it has caused music to be immediately accessible, which is convenient, but also detrimental to the artist trying to make their money off of record sales.  In recording, technology has created a much easier, cost-efficient process, but it has also caused a surge of artists to excel in the industry that couldn't if they didn't have quantization and pitch-correction.

I am torn as a musician when it comes to technology in the music industry.  I feel that as long as you keep your artistic integrity, you can use it for the good.  As a vocalist who strives to give honest performances, I do wish Auto-Tune and Melodyne had never been invented. 

6.  Now for my Barbara Walters question:  If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

I'm a shoe addict, so this question is great!  I would be a comfortable pair of 5-inch black leather stilettos.