Originally a draftsman, Jordan starting singing as a baritone, joining the troupe of the Dudley opera house in 1907. After
studying with Rutland Boughton in Birmingham, Jordan reemerged as a tenor in 1910.
Now Boughton was not primarily a voice teacher, but a composer – England's self-declared answer to Richard Wagner, complete
with his own "Bayreuth Festival" at Glastonbury. And Jordan's foremost specialty became Boughton's compositions; he sang in the
world premieres of three of Boughton's operas, The immortal hour, The round table and Alkestis, plus the
preview (prelude and first act only) of The birth of Arthur.
Jordan sang at various British music festivals, and in 1922 became one of the founding members of the British National Opera
Company, where he made Wagner his second specialty; they toured the UK and regularly staged their productions at Covent Garden. In
1925, he joined soprano Elsa Stralia on a tour to Australia and New Zealand.
Upon return in 1926, he found himself in waning demand in Great Britain. He was now primarily a concert tenor, although he also sang
operas in concert performances. He sang into the late 1930s. Don't be fooled by Kutsch and Riemens who say that no Jordan records
are known: Jordan recorded a whole lot for Columbia.
Reference 1: Marston CD liner notes, reference 2 and picture
source, reference 3: Kutsch & Riemens
