Ed Jordan

For other people of the same name, see Edward Jordan.

Ed Jordan (born Edward Paul Jordan, 2 March 1969, Johannesburg) is a South African musician, composer, singer-songwriter, actor, TV and radio presenter. His most recent work was for Spud the Movie starring John Cleese, where he wrote and produced the orchestral score and the theme songs as working as music supervisor on the film. Jordan is known in South Africa for his pop rock songs and ballads, presenting the TV show Deal Or No Deal and for his Beautiful Creatures children’s brand, which he co-founded in 2004.

The Beautiful Creatures Musical is currently on stage at Montecasino. Jordan is also busy with the music for two episodes of the Wild at Heart, working with director Darrell Roodt. He has also released The Best of Ed Jordan compilation album for Christmas 2011.

Early life and education

Jordan was schooled at St John's College (Johannesburg, South Africa) in Johannesburg and then at Diocesan College in Cape Town where he took music as a major studying piano and voice. He went on to complete an Honors Degree in Dramatic Art at Wits University. During his third year in 1989, his performance as Shakespeare's Macbeth was spotted by agent /producer Moonyeen Lee and she helped start his professional career. His honours thesis was on "crossover music" using South African group Mango Groove as a case study. Jordan would later write and play keyboards for this multi platinum-selling band.

Music

Jordan's background is in church music which is where his first recordings were made as a boy: “I Know That my Redeemer Liveth” and "Cantate Domino". Most of his youth was spent singing in church choirs and playing piano at school where he developed an obsession with pop music. 1991 saw the release of his first single "Dream" off the Fly to Me album, which went to number 1 on the South African Music Charts. His second solo studio album Hear me Howling was released in 1996, winning him a South African Music Award (S.A.M.A.) It featured the hit "Always". His third solo album Crazy featured the hits "Crazy", "Your Man", "To Have and To Hold" and "Where Did I Go Wrong". His original carol "African Christmas" reached gold single status after its release in 1998 and is now sung by school children and in churches all across South Africa.

During the 1990s, Jordan wrote and played keyboard for South African acts, Wendy Oldfield, T.K., the Rasta Rebels and Mango Groove. He has also supported Bryan Ferry, Hootie and the Blowfish, Crowded House and Ronan Keating on their South African tours. Following the success of Jordan's TV program "The Wedding Show", he released his fourth solo album, For Always featuring the hit single "Goddess". “Tonight”, Jordan’s fifth studio album, featured the singles "Tonight", "I've Got Your Number!" and "Two Strangers" which went to No 1. on the S.A Take 40 on 6 September 2008. The Best Of Ed Jordan was released in December 2011 and features one new single, "As the Days Go By" as well as 14 previously released tracks spanning a twenty year career.

Television

Jordan was the host of M-Net's Deal Or No Deal for three seasons and was a member of the panel of sports show "Super Saturday" for eight years on the SuperSport channel. He also co-presented The Wedding Show, Popstars and Fast Forward for the SABC.

Film music and theatre

Jordan has worked with artist William Kentridge, writing and producing the score for the award winning film "Monument", as well as producing the music for the internationally acclaimed play Woyzeck on the Highveld which has toured all over the world. He's also worked with Academy Award nominated South African director Darrel Roodt writing and performing the theme song for his film "To the Death". In 1999 he co-wrote the musical Love, crime and Johannesburg with Malcolm Purkey and the cast, which ran at the Grahamstown Festival and then at The Market Theatre. Jordan composed and produced the score and theme songs for Spud the Movie, starring John Cleese and Troye Sivan. He was also music supervisor on the film.

Radio

After working with breakfast show host Jeremy Mansfield, producing comedy songs for "The Rude Awakening" on 94.7 Highveld Stereo, Jordan spent two and a half years (2005–2008) as co-host of Kaya FM's breakfast show, "Live and Switched On".

Beautiful Creatures

In 2004, together with Alan Glass and Paul Choritz, Jordan formed Beautiful Creatures, a South African children's brand specialising in "parent friendly" children's music. He co-wrote, recorded and produced the platinum selling debut "Beautiful Creatures", a CD aimed at children from 2 to 8 years of age. The "Beautiful Creatures" range now has seven titles: “Beautiful Creatures”, “More Beautiful Creatures” and “Even More Beautiful Creatures” fun educational animal songs; ”Beautiful Me”, an album that deals with emotional development in children. ”Beautiful Bedtime”, “Beautiful Creatures of the Sea” and “Beautiful Lullabies”. The company now also has a clothing range, books, educational toys and a stage show. Beautiful Creatures won a Naledi Award for the category of “Best Production of a Play or Musical for Children”, in March 2011.

Awards

South African Music Award for “Best Adult Contemporary Album” for “Hear me Howling” in 1997.

Naledi Award for “Best Production of a Play or Musical for Children” for “Beautiful Creatures” in 2010.

Personal life

Jordan is the son of former Business Day newspaper theatre critic Mary Jordan, and Edward Jordan, former MD of his family business Kirchhoff’s Seeds. He has one sister, Katie, and lives in Johannesburg with his wife Tamsin and daughter Sophia.

Philanthropic activities

In 2005 Jordan was appointed by Sun International as Music Ambassador for Positive Rocks, a concept that combines art, music, food and fashion to raise money for the Tapologo Aids Hospice. Positive Rocks is a Sun International initiative that raises awareness of H.I.V. and Aids in South Africa.