So I have created a crowdfunding campaign via Gofundme. It launched on Friday and I have raised two thousand dollars so far. I am hopeful. The EP’s (short program recordings packaged like a full length recording 8-10 songs, but these will have five songs. On the other hand, if I this project gains traction (raise enough money) I might just make two full cd’s. But I shouldn’t get ahead  of myself. I need to raise at least $10K. I only asked for $7500 but if it is successful, I can raise more. The costs are big. Studio time, engineering, mastering, packaging for physical CD’s, graphic design, web design, musicians, photography plus I want to do a music video! Big dreams but I insist on making this a reality. My livelihood and career trajectory depends on it.

If anyone is reading this, Click on this link. Donate and/or share with your friends! Everyone who donates gets a copy of the project. I will of course create a digital format for downloading.

Here we go. I am encouraged by the response thus far. Join me on this journey!

Love, Lynne

Here is the link again: Lynne’s Fundraiser

Uncomfortable with Gofundme? Use Zelle or PayPal: divajordan@aol.com   Venmo: @Lynne-Jordan-2   Cash App: $divajordan

Thank you for your support! I will include a video clip of me singing a Classic Blues by Ida Cox soon!

RAUE CENTER WELCOMES 

DIVA IN RESIDENCE LYNNE JORDAN

[Crystal Lake, IL] – October 4, 2021 –  Raue Center announces its new Artist Residency Program with the appointment of vocalist Lynne Jordan for the 2021-2022 Season! This new, groundbreaking,  year-long residency will allow us to explore Lynne’s artistry through a series of 5 concerts, recorded interviews, talkbacks, etc.  The Raue Center will not only explore and develop her original work as “diva in residence”  but also delve into some of the more poignant storytelling styles that have made her a favorite daughter of Chicago for over 30 years. 

“This marks a monumental step for this theater and its development of Artistry,” says Raue Center executive director Richard Kuranda. “We are thrilled to be working with Lynne over the next year as we explore and create new work with this exceptional artist.” 

In a city brimming with classic blues and jazz voices, Lynne Jordan’s voice stands out as vocalist, bandleader, solo performer, and storyteller. Drawing upon her own personal stories gleaned from 58 years of living, her experiences are always poignant, often funny, and always accompanied by a song, touching on everything from civil rights to pop culture to sports!

Now vocal powerhouse Lynne Jordan returns to Raue Center as diva in residence after kicking off a successful inaugural season of Raue Center’s outdoor series, Arts on the Green at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church this summer. Audiences were so enamored with Jordan’s sparkling wit and her soaring vocals that dip effortlessly into blues, jazz, funk, rock (and even country!) that Raue Center has made her a feature of its 2021-22 Season. 

Her talent so dazzled the Second City that the late Chicago film critic Roger Ebert declared her his “favorite diva.” Lynne brings her special brand of storytelling, raw humor, and performance to Crystal Lake, invoking the legendary ladies of blues with her star power! ”The diva in Residency program offers me so much, including opportunity, and freedom to be truly creative as well as a safe space to utilize my talents and creativity – my artistic voice – in ways I can only imagine,” Jordan explains. “The best part is I don’t have to imagine it. The opportunity is here!” Backed by her sizzling band The Shivers, Jordan quickly developed into a Chicago institution, playing jazz and blues clubs, The Chicago Bluesfest, and swanky lounges. She brought her special brand of storytelling, raw humor, and performance to Chicago, New York, and Atlanta with her sold-out show, A Musical Tribute to Nina Simone. Jordan has performed internationally as well; in France in a jazz opera as well tours with her band the Shivers in Brazil, France, Latvia, Ukraine, and Russia.  And now she brings her magic to Crystal Lake for a special Halloween show on October 30, 2021, at 8 pm. 

With five special engagements scheduled for the 2021-22 season, each one a unique celebration of Jordan’s craft, audiences will have plenty of opportunities to see this Chicaglogland treasure in action.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Meredith Schaefer

Email: mschaefer@rauecenter.org 815-356-9010 ext.

More information and tickets are available by visiting www.rauecenter.org or by calling the box office at (815) 356-9212.

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Singing for my Diva Mondays is a joy. The comments are projected on a big screen and every single one gives me life. Everyone is filled with such joy and they are there for me – for us – cheering us on and giving me happiness that comes only from performing. It’s hard because sometimes because I think no one is showing up and sometimes the numbers are scary: Will we generate enough tips so I can pay my devoted and wonderfully talented band? Whatever the tally turns out to be there is always one sure thing: I feel wonderful afterwards. I included a story tonight – I was nervous because I thought folks might drop off but they didn’t. I followed my instincts and you/they stayed. I love my job! See ya next week. And thank you for tuning in and being so generous. I am blessed.

—

I am so happy! See ya online!

Love, Lynne

This time, however, I was on the much smaller “Jazz/Cabaret” stage so I brought in a trio and I didn’t know quite what to expect. I figured it would be low key and didn’t expect a huge crowd. Quite a few of my friends and supporters showed up and as soon as I opened my mouth I noticed the folks stopping and coming into our stage area and as the pressure was off I was relaxed and carefree with my patter and song selection. Before I knew it, there were about 200+ spectators dancing and singing back to me. What joy was mine! It was a night with the flawless Shivers behind me supporting every move I made because they know me and trust me as I trust them. We made the magic that night!

Thank you, Lord, for this weekend! Thank you to all who came out to support me.

In my constant fight to love myself vs lose some fucking weight has been constant. It was easier to love my body when I was younger. But now my rolls signify pain – literally. My for joints have had enough. I have struggled with the osteoarthritis – aggravated by weight, but now I have lower back pain and a recurring bout of back spasms which I know are aggravated by weight. Don’t worry, I have taken steps. I have gotten my ass (and belly) back to the gym with my Trainer Jeremy. My uncontrollable eating habits are another story. Back to my belly. She -yes, my belly is feminine – hangs low over the tops of my thighs. She shows in my pants. It is shocking to me. And I have been horrified by the constant photographs (from my gigs) where it shows. My horror and shame at my belly have made me do stupid shit like deleting photographs taken of me singing at the Chicago Blues Festival. Some of the greatest live music and Blues shooters in the world were there and when I walked out in full regalia: boa, fringed bottom gown, tasteful gladiator sandals all finished off with my best fun colorful jewelry and a red person (fan) – I was a vision after a day of blue jean-clad Bluesmen in hats and guitars. The photographers piled into a bunch in front of me – I could hear the click of their shutters, I could see their smiles. It was so cool until I saw the photographs. I was shrouded in a black duster – just enough to cover… my belly but unfortunately the wind blew or I got adjusted because almost every photograph featured (in my mind) that bottom roll of my belly. I was horrified and so I quickly deleted them all – beautifully captured moments gone because I could not stand seeing my belly.

That was in June. I have since had time to get used to seeing myself in photos – belly and all – without screaming. See, I have to thank Instagram and the body positive, fat acceptance moment. These influencers are super fat women and they are wearing bikinis for goodness sake! It has taken me a while but I realize that no one thinks I have a flat stomach because I cover it with draped clothing, long dusters and the like. Now I ain’t about to go gallivanting in a bikini in public but I will not be deleting any high-end photographs because I can’t stand the way my body looks in clothes. I am who I am and I must learn to accept – with love- my rolls. I don’t plan to stay at this weight. I am changing my body. I like it better when I am strong and fit and these last 40 pounds have got to go just to get back to where I want to start. These last added pounds are the difference between labored breathing and comfort. I have returned to get my physical self back to fitness, but in the meantime – I am giving me and my belly a break. I have even started cradling it like Meghan the Duchess of Sussex cradled her baby bump – but not in public of course.

Stay tuned…

In case you are wondering: “What’s up with the girdle?” I have been wearing a girdle or some sort of support garment since I was 13. I had a mother who grew up in the 40’s and 50’s and so besides “eat your vegetables” and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” there was another golden rule: “Always wear your girdle!”

#FreetheDiva!