Jordan Croucher

Jordan writes...

"I was first inspired to sing when I heard “Sunshine” by Babyface at the age of 11, I liked the way my voice sounded and I couldn’t stop singing the song. It was at this time I realized that I could hold a note and my family began to notice it too, and this is when my passion for music started. However, I was discouraged shortly after by the taunting of my friends and making fun of the way I sang, so instead of pursuing my dream to sing, I decided that I would put all my energy and passion into basketball to follow the same path as the rest of my friends.

Over the years, I worked hard developing my game, not knowing at the time how much basketball would impact my life and introduce me to music again. Coming out of high school, I was recognized as one of the top basketball players in Halifax and was being recruited by some of the most reputable university teams in the country. I decided upon St. FX and entered my first year in the fall of 1997 to play for the X-men; while still having music in my heart and soul.

When a few of my teammates heard me sing, I was told of a karaoke night on campus and after trying it out, I began to perform there once a week. Through this, I was introduced to a group of jazz students who asked me to be the lead singer of their band, “Shades of Grove”. When we started to rehearse cover songs of artists like D' Angelo, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and James Brown, I wanted music to be part of my life again but I just didn’t know how to make it work.

Jordan writes...

"I was first inspired to sing when I heard “Sunshine” by Babyface at the age of 11, I liked the way my voice sounded and I couldn’t stop singing the song. It was at this time I realized that I could hold a note and my family began to notice it too, and this is when my passion for music started. However, I was discouraged shortly after by the taunting of my friends and making fun of the way I sang, so instead of pursuing my dream to sing, I decided that I would put all my energy and passion into basketball to follow the same path as the rest of my friends.

Over the years, I worked hard developing my game, not knowing at the time how much basketball would impact my life and introduce me to music again. Coming out of high school, I was recognized as one of the top basketball players in Halifax and was being recruited by some of the most reputable university teams in the country. I decided upon St. FX and entered my first year in the fall of 1997 to play for the X-men; while still having music in my heart and soul.

When a few of my teammates heard me sing, I was told of a karaoke night on campus and after trying it out, I began to perform there once a week. Through this, I was introduced to a group of jazz students who asked me to be the lead singer of their band, “Shades of Grove”. When we started to rehearse cover songs of artists like D' Angelo, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and James Brown, I wanted music to be part of my life again but I just didn’t know how to make it work.

Jordan writes...

"I was first inspired to sing when I heard “Sunshine” by Babyface at the age of 11, I liked the way my voice sounded and I couldn’t stop singing the song. It was at this time I realized that I could hold a note and my family began to notice it too, and this is when my passion for music started. However, I was discouraged shortly after by the taunting of my friends and making fun of the way I sang, so instead of pursuing my dream to sing, I decided that I would put all my energy and passion into basketball to follow the same path as the rest of my friends.

Over the years, I worked hard developing my game, not knowing at the time how much basketball would impact my life and introduce me to music again. Coming out of high school, I was recognized as one of the top basketball players in Halifax and was being recruited by some of the most reputable university teams in the country. I decided upon St. FX and entered my first year in the fall of 1997 to play for the X-men; while still having music in my heart and soul.

When a few of my teammates heard me sing, I was told of a karaoke night on campus and after trying it out, I began to perform there once a week. Through this, I was introduced to a group of jazz students who asked me to be the lead singer of their band, “Shades of Grove”. When we started to rehearse cover songs of artists like D' Angelo, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and James Brown, I wanted music to be part of my life again but I just didn’t know how to make it work.

In the meantime, the basketball team was gaining national attention and by my second year, we were ranked as one of the top 5 university teams in the country. The following summer in 2001, I was selected to be a member of the national men’s basketball team to represent Canada at the Student University Games in China. It was an amazing feeling to put on a jersey and be recognized as one of the best players in the country. For me, this accomplishment felt like I was making another dream come true, to play basketball at a professional level.

After leaving St. FX in 2002, I was recruited to play in Europe, which led me to move to Saint-Brieuc, a small town in France, where I played semi-professional at a national two level. Coincidently, moving to a foreign country gave me some time to be alone and think, so I began to write and sing music to pass my time off the court. I contacted a few producers from home to send some beats to help inspire me, they agreed but didn’t take me serious that I was going to write my own music. After returning home from France in the summer of 2003, I was motivated to sing again, and started to collaborate with a local producer, and eventually began to record and work with other artists.

I did not return to France the following basketball season as I took a Position as a student support worker for the Halifax Regional School Board. It was a difficult decision not to go back as I was torn between my two dreams, music or basketball; but my decision was based on my love for singing, and having the opportunity to remain in Halifax and give back to my community. I had the opportunity to work as a student support worker within the junior high and high schools.

I was assigned to at-risk students and provided them extra support and encouragement by attempting to engage them in school more. I set up extracurricular activities, brought in motivational speakers and athletic trainers to stimulate them to exercise and stay healthy. As well, I organized university tours, educational outings (i.e. tour of the black culture centre) and set up a mentoring program with Dalhousie Students. One of my bigger accomplishments was recording a high school compilation cd with the students to create a set of songs that talked about their life and dreams, their difficulties, and tried to send out a message of positivity and strength. It was a fundraiser for the student council and the cd was sold at school concerts, bake sales and other various events.

I resigned to become more active in developing my singing career, and began working full-time to accomplish this dream. Ever since, I’ve been traveling, recording, touring and promoting my music as I have committed myself to my new career, and feel this is the best decision that I have ever made."

Jordan Croucher has been described as an “R& B superstar”, a “soul artist” and a “natural born talent”. This Halifax-born artist is now making a career out of his lifelong desire to sing. Exposed to music at a young age, Jordan found his own voice and believed in himself.

The summer of 2007 saw the release of his debut album, No Dress Code, featuring the single “Selfish Times”, which climbed to #37 on Canada’s National Top 100.

In November 2007, Jordan won the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award at the 10th annual African Nova Scotian Music Awards show. He also received two more nominations at the 2007 Nova Scotia Music Awards and was featured in the CBC special Barenaked East Coast Music.

Croucher’s has toured nationwide with Classified, Maestro, D.O., JBru, Jay Bizzy and Mic Boyd. His talent has also been highlighted when opening for internationally acclaimed superstars, Ne-Yo, Snoop Dogg, Rhianna, Nas, Kardinal Offishall,Young Buck, Juelz Santana, and K-OS.

In addition to his music career, Croucher makes time to give back to his community and be a positive role model. He has been selected to be an ambassador for the D250 campaign in Nova Scotia, celebrating 250 years of democracy and helping encourage youth to exercise their right to vote.

Stay tuned for his sophomore album.