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Jordan VanHemert

DR. JORDAN VANHEMERT is a Korean American saxophonist and composer lauded for his skill as a modern jazz improviser. VanHemert’s music—including his new album I AM NOT A VIRUS—is deeply informed by his political consciousness, employing his distinctive compositional voice to address issues of race and social justice. ​ Critics recognize VanHemert’s music as being profoundly relevant; noted jazz journalist and historian Scott Yanow recently praised VanHemert’s debut release as “quite impressive,” stating that his piece “Autumn Song” “could eventually become a standard.” ​​ VanHemert serves on the faculty at Hope College as Assistant Professor of Music Instruction in saxophone and jazz studies. He is also the Music Director of the Holland Concert Jazz Orchestra, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to jazz advocacy, education, and performance. ​ VanHemert is a Vandoren Artist-Clinician and Selmer Paris Saxophones Performing Artist. He performs exclusively on Vandoren reeds and mouthpieces and Selmer Paris saxophones.

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17
Album Review

Jordan VanHemert: Nomad

Read "Nomad" reviewed by Jane Kozhevnikova


After his previous album, I Am Not A Virus (Big Round Records, 2021), inspired by the ongoing fight against racial prejudice, Jordan VanHemert releases Nomad, continuing to explore and embrace his Asian American identity. As the liner note says, this album is a celebration of Korean culture “through the melodies of both ancient & contemporary folk & children's songs, distilled through a modern jazz aesthetic." The opening tracks sound like a traditional saxophone trio similar to Sonny Rollins' ...

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Album Review

Jordan VanHemert: Nomad

Read "Nomad" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Although his name offers no clue, saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's heritage is Korean. He salutes that legacy on Nomad, his second album as leader, with a pair of Korean folk songs and half a dozen comparatively modern themes written by Koreans or Korean Americans. Most are performed by VanHemert's trio: (Rodney Whitaker, bass; David Alvarez III, drums). Pianist Lisa Sung, guitarist Nathan Borton, bassist John Webber, drummer Max Colley III and vocalist Sharon Cho join VanHemert on the children's song “Half ...

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Album Review

Jordan VanHemert: I Am Not A Virus

Read "I Am Not A Virus" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


It was bad enough that 2020 brought with it the scourge of a pandemic of proportions not seen in a hundred years. But add to that the ugliness of racial tensions and xenophobia and one would be hard pressed to grapple with the idea of much good coming from such adversity. Michigan educator and saxophonist Jordan VanHemert found himself at the mercy of endless lockdowns and the need for new ways to communicate with others much like everyone in the ...

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Album Review

Jordan VanHemert: I Am Not A Virus

Read "I Am Not A Virus" reviewed by Robin B James


The craft is tight, the feeling is refreshing, the sound is quick and precise, and the gestalt brings the individual voices of the musicians into group form, taking turns soloing and working together, interpreting the now into the fabric of the groove. The album covers a full range of expressive energy. “The Path Ahead" (9:28) starts us off with pep and energy, a perfect tempo for forward motion, the next tracks move into crisp contemporary seasons and issues, including that ...

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I Am Not a Virus is filled with VanHemert pushing himself as a writer, performer, and leader. The inspiration behind each song is a bit of a story of VanHemert’s musical retort to racism and the unjust hostility toward Asian-Americans amid a global pandemic. The music flows like a healthy cathartic act from VanHemert and comes across as creative, grounded, and strikingly passionate. -Stamish Malcuss, Jazz Sensibilities The craft is tight, the feeling is refreshing, the sound is quick and precise, and the gestalt brings the individual voices of the musicians into group form, taking turns soloing and working together, interpreting the now into the fabric of the groove. The album covers a full range of expressive energy. -Robin James, All About Jazz Although the album's title is a heady condemnation of the xenophobic violence all too prevalent at the moment, VanHemert's music is far from preachy or even angry. Instead, its reflective nature seams to speak in healing and optimistic terms. VanHemert offers a guiding light in "The Path Ahead," a floating structure that settles in with a commanding piano statement from Lisa Sung. It's open and hypnotic format recalls similar forays by the late Kenny Wheeler. As a coy finish, a bass vamp allows drummer Andy Wheelock to spin his own tale before the reprise of the opening melody. Equally beguiling is the waltz tempo of "Autumn Song," which finds VanHemert's tenor at the forefront. Refreshingly free of clichés, Jordan's tone is firm and flexible and his lines resolve in creative, yet logical ways. ​ - C. Andrew Hovan, All About Jazz

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Deep in the Soil

Origin Records
2024

buy

Nomad

Origin Records
2022

buy

I Am Not A Virus

Big Round Records
2021

buy

Stages of Han (Single)

Self-Released
2021

buy

Call to Order

From: Deep in the Soil
By Jordan VanHemert

Bird, Bird, Bluebird

From: Nomad
By Jordan VanHemert

Videos

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