In conversation with Jordan Ward: Touring, Influences, and Finding His Sound
Catching up with Jordan mid-tour feels like speaking to an artist right in his element. Currently travelling across the US with what he describes as his “best show yet,” it’s clear that this moment is one he’s been building towards for years.
“Most of the shows have been sold out,” he says. “I feel really connected with the community.”
That sense of connection is something that stands out throughout our conversation. Whether he’s talking about performing in packed venues or smaller cities with unexpectedly electric crowds, Jordan’s focus is always on the energy shared between artist and audience. A recent highlight? Returning home.
“We played my hometown, St. Louis, two nights ago and that was crazy,” he recalls. “But even the smaller shows — like Columbus, Ohio — the energy was just so high.”
With a UK tour on the horizon, Jordan is stepping into relatively new territory. Despite having performed in London before (and even touring the UK as a backup dancer nearly two decades ago), he admits he’s still figuring out what to expect.
“I’ve never been to Bristol,” he says. “I don’t really know what I’m walking into - but I’m excited.”
A Sound Rooted in Everything
Trying to pin down Jordan’s sound isn’t easy - and that’s exactly how he likes it.
“At the end of the day, all of it reverts back to R&B, soul, and even gospel,” he explains. “But as I got older, I fell in love with hip-hop, neo-soul, indie music, rock, bossa nova… all kinds of folk music. There’s a little bit of everything in there.”
That openness to influence is central to his creative process. Rather than sticking to a single genre, Jordan focuses on making the best possible song - letting style reveal itself later.
“Most of the time I’m just trying to make the best song possible,” he says. “It’s usually at the end where I step back and think about what it sounds like.”
One artist who has had a particularly strong impact on his songwriting is Joni Mitchell.
“I started pulling inspiration from folk artists because I wanted to get better at writing songs that stand alone without production,” he says. “She writes about everyday experiences - that really inspired me.”
From Dance to Synesthetic Sound
Before music, dance played a huge role in Jordan’s creative life - and it still shapes how he experiences sound today.
“I’m a dancer, so when I hear music I naturally feel it,” he explains. “It all happens at once.”
He also describes experiencing synesthesia, where music triggers colours and visual sensations in his mind - something that feeds directly into his artistry.
“It’s not conscious,” he says. “It just happens.”
This multi-sensory approach helps explain the emotional depth and texture in his work, where sound, movement, and feeling seem tightly intertwined.
Inspired by the Everyday
Jordan’s influences stretch far beyond contemporary R&B. Artists like Bill Withers, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, and The Doobie Brothers have all shaped his perspective. What ties them together is their ability to tell simple, honest stories.
“They write about everyday experiences,” he says. “Just normal life.”
It’s a quality Jordan clearly values - and aims to reflect in his own music.
Building a Career - and a Mindset
Like many artists, Jordan’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Moving from Missouri to Los Angeles immediately after graduating was a leap into the unknown, even if it was one he had long been preparing for.
“It was nerve-wracking,” he admits. “But I knew I was headed down that path for a long time.”
When it comes to advice for young creatives, his message is straightforward: resilience matters.
“You have to get comfortable with rejection,” he says. “The thing that’s kept me going is my love and passion for it. I’m never satisfied - I just want to keep getting better.”
A turning point came three years ago, when he began headlining his own tours.
“Seeing people come out, buy tickets, buy merch — that’s when I thought, okay… we’re here.”
Defining Success
For Jordan, success isn’t about charts or numbers - it’s about stability, longevity, and giving back.
“I want to retire my mum and take care of my family,” he says. “And beyond that, if I’m still making music in 10 or 20 years and loving it, that’s success to me.”
If you’re new to Jordan’s music, he recommends starting with fan favourites like Lil Baby Crush or Noisy Neighbours - tracks that capture both his emotional range and genre-blending style. With his UK tour approaching and a growing global audience, now feels like the perfect time to tune in. And for Bristol? It’ll be a first - but if his current run of shows is anything to go by, it won’t be the last.
Jordan is coming to Bristol April 14th! Grab a ticket here: https://www.livenation.co.uk/event/jordan-ward-bristol-tickets-edp1632420
Photo creds: @gaptoothshorty