Performing
Jordan has established a strong reputation as a diverse performer in the music industry, playing in jazz, pop, funk, soul and salsa bands, symphony orchestras, TV studio bands, theatre pit orchestras and recording studios. He is also a sought-after arranger and orchestrator, having arranged for the 2018 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.
He has performed throughout the world with international artists such as Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, The Temptations, Tony Bennett, Paul Anka, Frankie Valley, Michael Buble, Kylie Minogue, Hans Zimmer, Joss Stone, Robbie Williams, Lisa Simone and Ricky-Lee Jones. He has also performed with leading Australian artists such as John Farnham, Hugh Jackman, Tina Arena, Jon Stevens, The Teskey Brothers and The Cat Empire at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Jordan is very proud to have been invited to work as a performer, musical director, and arranger on Australian indigenous projects:
The Black Arm Band featuring Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Kucha Edwards, Mark Atkins, William Barton and Paul Kelly
Musical Director for 1967 – Songs In The Key of Yes celebrating the Australian 1967 referendum
Musical director and arranger for David Arden’s Meerta performance in collaboration with the Wilin Centre, Melbourne University and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music at the 2023 Yirramboi Festival (Melbourne)
Education
Jordan’s passion for music performance and education was inspired by Richard Gill (OAM), who was Dean of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) during Jordan’s undergraduate studies. Gill's infectious enthusiasm has been a source of inspiration for Jordan’s own teaching philosophy that incorporates the value of lifelong learning and career sustainability
With over 25 years teaching experience in one-to-one tuition, classroom and ensemble instruction and as a full-time staff member over ten years at Monash University, Jordan has been instrumental in the delivery of programs of solo performance, composition, arranging, orchestration, music theory, jazz history, small and large ensemble performance. He has played a key role in the development of the course structure as Education Coordinator at Monash University and Jordan is passionate about music education and assisting those who seek to fulfil their musical goals.
During his tenure at the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music, Monash University, Jordan engaged in musical collaborations with several national and international artists such as Daniel and David Wilfred (AUS), Hermeto Pascoal (Brazil), Kenny Werner (USA), George Lewis (USA), Django Bates (UK), Mark Helias (USA), Nasheet Waits (USA), Dave Douglas (USA), Ray Anderson (USA), Tomasz Stanko (POL), Carla Bley (USA) and Steve Swallow (USA).
Jordan holds a BMus from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), undertook post-graduate studies at Berklee College of Music, Boston, an MA from the Victorian College of the Arts (University of Melbourne), and a PhD from Monash University. Jordan Murray is a JazzHead and FMR-UK recording artist.