Jordan Lunardini

Jordan has a diverse musical background, playing the saxophone, clarinet and drums before even picking up a guitar. Most young guitar virtuosos start playing at a very young age but Jordan, despite being left-handed, taught himself to play a right-handed guitar about six years ago. As a child, Jordan wasn't lured into "pop" music like most of his generation but instead he was turned on to the blues when his late uncle, a friend of B.B. King and immense blues fan, left him a box full of soul and blues records.

The Blues Brothers film was also a huge influence on Jordan. When he was younger, Jordan didn't get grounded to his room, he had the Blues Brothers video taken away. Jordan was also influenced by a variety of blues artists including Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Son House, Johnny Winter, Sam and Dave, Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters, just to name a few. Although inspired by a lot of blues guitarists, it's really the gospel artists that have influenced his writing the most. Jordan draws from artists such as Ray Charles, The Holmes Brothers and The Blind Boys of Alabama.

He believes some of the earliest and best blues music started in churches, with preachers that struggled with the moral duties in their daily life and their desires for the nightlife and the blues. Jordan's goal in his writing and playing is to pass on that same soul, passion and feeling in the music. Jordan played in several rock and blues-based bands for awhile before forming Jordan Lunardini and The Bad Beat with bass player Matt Reinhardt. His stage shows are energetic and entertaining, with ripping guitar solos and soulful vocals.

Jordan also hosts "The Sunday Blues," a radio program on 107.7 WRKR that has been running for over 15 years. He has been hosting the show for three years and is the youngest blues radio host in the country. The radio program has definitely helped him grow as a musician.

He has learned a lot from people like B.B. King, Little Milton, Magic Slim, Tommy Castro, Renee Austin, Wendell Holmes, Mr. Downchild, and Tab Benoit. Jordan Lunardini truly understands the history, depth and importance of the blues and though he hasn't been around for a long time, it's apparent that he will be a prominent figure in blues music for a many years to come.