Juno

Juno-winning singer Sass Jordan dead at 65

Cause of death has not been released

Sass Jordan, the Montreal-raised rock singer whose career spanned nearly four decades, has died at 65.

Jordan died Friday surrounded by those who loved her most, said a statement from family spokesperson Eric Alper.

The statement described Jordan as an inimitable force of nature and an irreplaceable being of light and joy.

A cause of death has not been released.

Jordan's debut album, Tell Somebody, was released in 1988, and she won the Juno Award for most promising female vocalist of the year in 1989. Her second album, Racine, released in 1992, included hits like Make You a Believer.

She was nominated several times for a Juno Award for best female vocalist. She was also a judge on all six seasons of the reality television competition show Canadian Idol.

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She was born on Dec. 23, 1960 in Birmingham, England, and raised in Montreal, according to the statement.

Geoff Kulawick, former president of Stony Plain Records, which released Jordan's last two albums, described her as "bold, beautiful and brave."

Jordan recorded her 2020 album, Rebel Moon Blues, and her 2022 album, Bitches Blues, with her husband Derek Sharp while signed with Stony Plains.

Kulawick said he was a fan even before Jordan signed to his label, and that he convinced her she could "really belt out the blues" on her final two records.

"Her voice really stood out and the way she was able to connect emotionally … brought her tons of fans," he said.

An inspiration to all young performers

Canadian producer and songwriter Derek Downham said they "really hit it off" when they first met at Toronto's Massey Hall a few years ago.

"She was a ray of light and a really hilarious person," said Downham, who also played drums alongside Jordan last December at singer-songwriter Andy Kim's annual holiday charity concert in Montreal.

"The biggest heartbreak for me is that I won't get to see that laugh again."

As one of the few women in rock when she started out, Jordan helped make space for other woman in a male-dominated genre, he said.

"She was coming up in a time where it wasn't easy," he said. "It's nice to see a strong female poke through and really show people how it's done."

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Downham said Jordan was an inspiration to all young performers.

"I hope that people remember her for leading the way and that she led with love every time."