About Jordan
Jordan VanHemert is a Korean American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader working in the contemporary post-bop tradition. An active international touring artist, he has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia — including frequent appearances in South Korea — at venues such as Dazzle in Denver, Cliff Bell’s in Detroit, and The Blue Llama in Ann Arbor. His recent recordings and touring have brought him into collaboration with leading figures in modern jazz including Terell Stafford, Michael Dease, Helen Sung, Rodney Whitaker, and Lewis Nash.
VanHemert’s music has earned sustained international recognition. Japan’s The Walkers praised a recent album as “the musical expression of what it means to be alive,” while MMJazz Korea described him as “another rising star at a time when the number of Korean jazz musicians is rising.” In the United States, JazzTimes editor-in-chief David R. Adler has highlighted his “authoritative sound” and “penetrating musical intelligence,” and longtime collaborator Rodney Whitaker calls him “a powerful voice on saxophone… telling his story through the lens of his Korean cultural traditions.”
Born in South Korea, and raised in Michigan, VanHemert discovered jazz through Charlie Parker recordings from his late grandfather’s collection, later immersing himself in the alto lineage of Parker, Cannonball Adderley, and Kenny Garrett alongside tenor influences including Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and Joe Henderson. He studied at Central Michigan University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Illinois, earning a doctorate under Chip McNeill and Ronald Bridgewater. Now an educator and clinician as well as a performer, he serves as Director of Jazz Studies at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma and is active in national arts-equity initiatives. He is also a Vandoren Artist-Clinician, Selmer Paris Performing Artist, and KeyLeaves endorser.
His recorded catalog traces an evolving artistic and personal narrative: the socially conscious debut I Am Not a Virus(2021); the folk-influenced Nomad; the introspective Metamorphosis; and the straight-ahead post-bop statement Deep in the Soil (2024), followed by Survival of the Fittest, which returned him to the tenor saxophone and deeper original composition. Across these projects, VanHemert seeks to unite the depth of the jazz tradition with the breadth of his cultural and lived experience — a philosophy he summarizes simply: “We live our best lives as musicians when we bring all of ourselves to the art form.”
Dr. Jordan VanHemert recognized as OKJE Collegiate Jazz Educator of the Year
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State University (NSU) is proud to announce that Dr. Jordan VanHemert, assistant professor of music, has received the Collegiate Jazz Educator of the Year award from the Oklahoma Jazz Educators Association (OKJE).
This annual honor is presented to one outstanding collegiate director and one outstanding high school director in recognition of their contributions to the jazz community. For VanHemert, the award highlights his commitment to creating transformative opportunities for students and building meaningful community partnerships, with his work at NSU serving as the foundation for these efforts.
“I am honored by the recognition that we are building something meaningful,” VanHemert said. “Jazz has a rich legacy at NSU.”
A prolific jazz saxophonist and composer with five internationally acclaimed albums, VanHemert brings the perspective of a global practitioner to the classroom. These real-world experiences allow him to mentor students with an authentic understanding of what it takes to be a successful modern musician.
“I always say ‘serve the music,’ which means serving people. Jazz culture is all about mentorship,” VanHemert said. “Mentorship thrives on the individual attention that we are able to provide at NSU. I teach my students about the importance of finding your own voice, and my students learn from someone who is actively touring and performing in today’s musical landscape all around the world.”
T.J. Smith, the 2025 OKJE High School Jazz Director of the Year from Claremore Public Schools, nominated VanHemert for the award, remarking on his role in advancing jazz culture.
“I nominated Dr. VanHemert because of all the great things he’s done for my students and the students of others,” Smith said. “He’s built a great relationship with OKJE, constantly hosts our Fall Workshops, performs with our bands, and has taught numerous lessons and seminars to our students for free. I am proud to recommend VanHemert for this award and to encourage my own students to study with him!”
NSU President Rodney Hanley, noted VanHemert’s impact extends across the university and into the broader community.
“This honor for Dr. VanHemert highlights his role as a driving force in jazz and jazz education,” Hanley said. “The passion he invests in his craft is evident not only in the high regard of his peers but also in the artistic growth and success of the students he inspires.”
As Director for the Jazz Studies and Commercial Music program, VanHemert has overseen the expansion of the music curriculum, including the recent addition of two new minors, Jazz and Music Production, as well as a new certificate program for Digital Audio Engineering.
