“Jazz Child” – a poem and a personal remembrance of Sheila Jordan, by Namaya

September 5th, 2025

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OhWeh, CC BY-SA 2.5 , via Wikimedia Commons

Sheila Jordan in Munich; January, 2010

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Before reading Namaya’s poem, you may want to listen to him reflect on his relationship with the singer Sheila Jordan, who passed away on August 11, 2025, at the age of 96. 

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Jazz Child

Jazz child
……you lift us up
……inspire us to
…………believe

holding to the
……higher power
……the music of
……jazz and love.

Jazz child
……Fairy Godmother of swing
……Beboppin’ Queen
……Scatting rifting…

a voice that rises,
Soars and whispers
Into the intimate
……space of our souls

Your voice thrills
Us with the perfect swing.
You’ve lifted us up and
held so many with love &
…………care…

Charlie Parker, Duke Jordan…
……legions of jazz cats and
……your many students & fans
……around the world.

You bless us
……with your love, humor,
……Joy and grace our lives.

Jazz child
……Fairy Godmother of
……Beboppin’ Queen
……the consummate and sublime

First Lady of Jazz.

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Namaya is an internationally renowned Jazz poet, storyteller, humorist and sublime improvisational artist. He has performed throughout the US and has toured in Europe, New Zealand, Japan, Asia, the Americas and Palmyra Syria. Both as a solo artist, with his band the Jazz Beat Blues Poetry Ensemble, and with jazz musicians around the world, Namaya performs an astonishing blend of jazz word, story and improvisation.

Visit his website by clicking here

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Listen to the 1963 recording of Sheila Jordan singing the M. Philippe-Gérard/Johnny Mercer composition “When the World Was Young,” with Barry Galbraith (guitar); Steve Swallow (bass); and Denzil Best (drums). [Universal Music Group]

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Click for:

The Sunday Poem

More poetry on Jerry Jazz Musician

“My Vertical Landscape,” Felicia A. Rivers’ winning story in the 69th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest

More short fiction on Jerry Jazz Musician

Information about how to submit your poetry or short fiction

Subscribe to the (free) Jerry Jazz Musician quarterly newsletter

Helping to support the ongoing publication of Jerry Jazz Musician, and to keep it commercial-free (thank you!)

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