Artist Spotlight: Jordan Hamilton
Cellist and vocalist Jordan Hamilton is a mix of mastery and maverick musicality; hip-hop influenced, rhythmically layered, melodically robust. Avant garde, folk-soul music, a key to navigate space, time, and change, gracefully, for those who use it. Driven by diversity, drawn to the cello’s tone, cosmic strings calling souls home. “Plucking, sawing, pounding and caressing the cello to extract sometimes other-worldly sounds; melding live looping with classical music interludes, hip hop, and jazz.” (John Sinkevics, Local Spins). Shared truth, delivered and triggered by melodies, experienced as one, emanating from a deep, russet realm. Genres groomed together to represent and inquire the soul. A different kind of symphony, hopeful enough to grow our empathy, “part political activism, part hopefulness, part performance art, part soundscapes, and all entirely mesmerizing.” (John Sinkevics, Local Spins) Emotional energy crafted from integrity, immaterial and immortal, experienced at the speed of sound, with a bit of bounce, groove by the ounce, and all the jump you’ll need to move.
Q & A with Jordan
When did you discover your passion for music, and how did you initially get involved in music training?
8 years old. My teacher presented cello and I liked the sound. I fell in love with it through its various experiences it has led me to. Always in love with the sound.
Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
The DMV. Maryland. I currently live in Kalamazoo, MI or Southwest Michigan.
What's your favorite part about being a professional musician & composer?
Making the musing and practicing. Learning and working with artists I'm inspired by and/or like.
What companies and/or productions have you performed with?
I've had my music featured with The WMU dance program, Grand Rapids Ballet, Hot Crowd Dance Company, and of course the one and only TCDP. I used to take (mandatory) ballet class in elementary and early middle school.
What's something people may not know about being a professional musician and/or composer?
That it can look so different and varied according to personal experiences and preferences.
In the dance world we have to be constantly training to stay at the top of our game. Is it similar in the music world?
Absolutely. But no one has to work as hard as dancers. The body is unforgiving and forgiving at the same time. Dancers are keeping their bodies in tune to further their capacity. Past a certain threshold musicians more or less must work to push the threshold as the art firm isn't as demanding on the body.
What’s are some of the differences between composing for, let’s say something for your tour compared to working with a choreographer to compose a new work?
I'm thinking of what's good for movement. How can the space given in a song allow the choreography to complete the story.
Tell us about an onstage experience you will never forget?
Playing with Ryan Lott from Son Lux in Northern Michigan.
Any funny onstage stories?
Absolutely zero. Music is a very serious business that requires anything but laughter.
Any piece of advice you have for a young musician or composer?
Make what you hear and want to listen to. It's intimidating making things or trying to experience something you want/like but doing it scared is normal and acceptable.
Have you been to Northern Michigan before?
Absolutely. Consistently for 6 years now. I live it. No doubt it's beautiful.
What are you most looking forward to this summer as part of the Traverse City Dance Project?
Getting in the water then watching amazing dancers move to music among the sonic no doubt visual canvas of nature.
Interested in sponsoring Jordan or one of our other artists? Get more information here!
