Charles Jordan (baritone)
Encyclopedia
Charles Jordan was a Canadian baritone
and voice teacher
. He first studied singing with Adrienne Bourassa in Montreal during the 1930s, and later was a pupil of Albert Whitehead at the Toronto Conservatory of Music from 1941-1943. As a performer he was mainly active on Canadian radio, making his professional debut singing French chassons on CKAC in 1937. He performed regularly on CKAC and with various Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
orchestras in Montreal through 1940. From 1941-1943 he recorded several oratorio
s and opera
s by Purcell and Handel for the CBC, including Polyphemus in Acis and Galatea. From 1944-1950 he worked as a radio singer for both the CBC in Toronto, and for the American radio programs Sweetwood Serenade (NBC) and Sunday Night Serenade (MBS) in New York City. After 1950, Jordan divided his time between performing and teaching singing in Toronto. Several well known actors studied singing with him, including Susan Clark
, Lorne Greene
, and William Shatner
. He also made several albums during the 1950s of Canadian classical music and Canadian folk songs. He is the father of Canadian singer-songwriter Marc Jordan
.
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
and voice teacher
Voice teacher
A voice teacher or singing teacher is a musical instructor who trains adults and children in the art of singing. This generally involves training in breath control and support, proper tone production, pitch control and musical intonation, proper formation of vowels and consonants as well as...
. He first studied singing with Adrienne Bourassa in Montreal during the 1930s, and later was a pupil of Albert Whitehead at the Toronto Conservatory of Music from 1941-1943. As a performer he was mainly active on Canadian radio, making his professional debut singing French chassons on CKAC in 1937. He performed regularly on CKAC and with various Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
orchestras in Montreal through 1940. From 1941-1943 he recorded several oratorio
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
s and opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
s by Purcell and Handel for the CBC, including Polyphemus in Acis and Galatea. From 1944-1950 he worked as a radio singer for both the CBC in Toronto, and for the American radio programs Sweetwood Serenade (NBC) and Sunday Night Serenade (MBS) in New York City. After 1950, Jordan divided his time between performing and teaching singing in Toronto. Several well known actors studied singing with him, including Susan Clark
Susan Clark
Susan Clark is a Canadian actress, possibly best-known for her role as Katherine on the American television sitcom Webster, on which she appeared with her husband, Alex Karras.-Personal life:...
, Lorne Greene
Lorne Greene
Lorne Greene , was the stage name of Lyon Himan Green, OC, a Canadian actor.His television roles include Ben Cartwright on the western Bonanza, and Commander Adama in the science fiction movie and subsequent TV Series Battlestar Galactica...
, and William Shatner
William Shatner
William Alan Shatner is a Canadian actor, musician, recording artist, and author. He gained worldwide fame and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of James T...
. He also made several albums during the 1950s of Canadian classical music and Canadian folk songs. He is the father of Canadian singer-songwriter Marc Jordan
Marc Jordan
Marc Jordan , is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, session musician, and actor. Covering a wide variety of genres, he has written songs for a number of well-known artists, including Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bette Midler, and Josh Groban...
.