Jordan Solis’ Debut Album

Posted by Franco Romero in Music

Jordan Solis crossing his fingers in hopes he can finish his new album in time for his senior show. If all goes according to plan he’d like to have a release party for the album. Photo by Rebeca Gonzales.

Contemporary Music Program major Jordan Solis is hard at work on his debut album. It’s been a long process for the 21-year-old SFUAD senior. He has allowed all four years of his education to mold his tastes and shape his talents, acquiring new abilities along the way.

“I didn’t even pick up the bass until I was already a student here,” Solis says. “After gigging around and playing in ensembles while coupling the bass playing with the singing, it was really when I got here that I decided, you know, this is what I want to do.”

Solis is excited to by the influences he’s been exposed to in the program, including elements of Jazz and Middle Eastern music. He says experiencing new genres has helped him shape his own style, and create a sound he can be proud of. He calls himself a Caribbean-Fusion artist, an umbrella term combining elements of reggae, salsa, calypso, etc. For this album, Solis also would like to meld African pop and drum music with his own style. His background is in percussion and he also sings, plays bass and “somewhat” knows his way around a piano.

“It’s just groovy,” Solis says. “I love this music so much.”

His interest in this type of music comes from a deeply personal place. In high school, Solis was a self-described “metal-head.” He found himself consistently listening to angry, aggressive music. During this time, Solis also was suffering from depression. When he discovered more uplifting, positive music, he was able to become more positive himself. Now, Solis hopes he can do the same thing for someone else.

“Above all, I want them to understand that this is really uplifting, powerful music,” he says. “I want them to feel good after they listen to it.”

With his lyrics, Solis also engages with social issues. He wants the album to feel socially conscious and forward thinking and hopes that people who listen to it will pick up on this. A big theme he will be dealing with is the state of the environment—advocating for clean energy. Additionally, the album will tackle both race and gender inequality.

“I want people to take in this album and really listen to it, and have questions about it,” he says. “I hope they listen to it multiple times but each time get something different out of it. For example, maybe they pick up on some melodic idea that I introduce on one of the songs that they hear again in another.”

Jordan Solis discusses the different cultural influences present in his latest album, which includes a mixture of Reggae and African tribal music along with other influences. Photo by Rebeca Gonzales.

Solis’ album is currently untitled. His goal is to finish it in time for his senior show so that the performance can also function as a release party. He is working with graphic designers and photographers on assembling posters to get the word out that his show and his album will be a little different than the jazz or rock that is typically heard around town.

“I’m hoping to introduce a new scene to Santa Fe,” Solis says.

The album will be available on iTunes and Spotify.