Jordana Delgado has the weight of the hills falling on earth with the grace of a neem leaf with her latest dramatic release “Autumn Leaves”. The track is everything, it is light and airy because of the piano but due to the same reason, we also feel the gravity of the song. While the song is a cover, it takes its own life with a hint of jazz in there as well. 

Autumn Leaves and its roots according to Jordana Delgado

Congratulations on the release of your new song, “Autumn Leaves.” Can you tell us what inspired this song and the story behind it?

Thank you! “Autumn Leaves” is a piano arrangement of the famous jazz standard composed by Joseph Kosma in 1945. It has always been one of my favourite songs. Back in 2021, when I started my social media platforms as a musician, I used to post weekly videos of my musical arrangements. I had a lot of fun arranging something new every week! One week, I decided to write a piano instrumental arrangement of “Autumn Leaves”. I wanted it to have a waltzy feeling because I imagined the leaves flying, swirling and dancing in the wind. I had no idea, back then, that I was going to professionally record it and officially release it in 2023.

A Melody Box of surprises

Jordana carries the track immensely well with a toolbox full of experience when it comes to music. We hear how she brings in a certain theatre to the movement of every key. It almost dances with vibration with our ears and hearts

You have a diverse background in music, from classical piano to world music. How has your musical journey influenced the creation of “Autumn Leaves” and your current style?

Right after my classical piano degree, I studied jazz harmony and arrangements. At the same time, as you mentioned, I was passionate about world music, so I started playing, analyzing and arranging that type of music too. I don’t think one has to subscribe to one genre only. I think the story you tell in your song leads the way, and then you apply whatever resources you need to serve that story. The wider the music knowledge, the more tools you have, and the better you serve the stories.

Regarding “Autumn Leaves”, when you listen to it, I think one can tell my classical music background. I think it ended up being a beautiful blend between classical piano and jazz.

The Storyteller’s Song

Why the name Autumn Leaves? Is there a story behind it? You released your first album, “Rainy Times,” in 2021. How does “Autumn Leaves” relate to the overall theme or evolution of your music since then?

Since it is a cover, I decided to keep the original title. When listening to the English version of the song (the original was written in French), the lyrics say that the colours of the falling leaves remind him of his summer love. My debut album “Rainy Times” is all original music. However, I also love to write arrangements. “Autumn Leaves” complements my album in that respect. Since it is a cover, it shows how I can transform an existing song into my own personal sound.

Every note has a purpose which also speaks highly of the quality of production on the track. While it does that, we also feel how carefully Jordana has taken time out to sculpt her song, note by note. The notes land like feathers on grass to our ears, gracefully, lightly but with an impact that can never be forgotten. 

The Jordana Delgado and her Brewing Art

Can you share some insights into your songwriting (writing your lyrics and the crafting portion of the songwriting process) process?

Of course! When I write a song, I like to start by writing the lyrics. The lyrics hold the most meaningful part of the story, and they get most of the attention, so I like to craft them separately. That way I don’t have to fit the words into pre-existing structures, I have total freedom to say what the story needs; I can create the phrases as long or as short as the story needs; the rhyme can also be custom-made to the needs of the story… Once I have the lyrics, adding the music is fairly easy. I always make sure the music matches the story 100%, otherwise the lyrics would lose their power.

Throughout this process there is a lot of improvisation. I allow myself to be playful and bold. Once I have the basic structure of the song, it is time to get into the tiny details and, for that part, I get analytical. Is the chord progression flowing well? Is the melody helping the words?… Always, of course, with the story in mind. Sometimes, you may need to sacrifice what you like for what the story needs.

Collaboration and Storytelling

Your musical journey has included involvement in various bands and projects. How has your solo career allowed you to express yourself differently as an artist post these collaborations?

I have been involved in many musical projects: classical music ensembles, acapella bands, and indie-pop bands, I even had my own musical theatre company for a few years! However, in all of them, I was mostly playing other people’s music or my own arrangements of other people’s music. Having my solo career has allowed me to bring to light my own original music. The stories that I have been creating on the side over the years.

You mentioned “The Rainy Times Story,” a short film connected to your previous album. Are there any visual elements or storytelling mediums associated with “Autumn Leaves”?

For those readers that are new to my world, “The Rainy Times Story” is a 9-episode short film that develops through the tracks of my debut album “Rainy Times”, and it can be watched on my YouTube channel. It is a very special story about the pass of time. However, there is one more layer to the story, as “The Rainy Times Story” is also about the struggles of the different stages of the creative process.

This story suddenly came to me one day, when I was looking at the track list of my album. I talked about it to a friend who works in the film industry, he got very excited about it, and we ended up filming it! However, that was a very long process and an overwhelming amount of work. For that reason, for “Autumn Leaves”, I decided to keep things simple and there isn’t a visual story, although I did record a music video under a beautiful, colourful maple tree.

Receivers Reaction to Jordana Delgado

How has the audience received Autumn Leaves so far? Are there any interesting stories that come up, if so would it be okay to share them? What do you hope your listeners will take away from “Autumn Leaves,”

I am very happy with the audience’s response; they have been listening to “Autumn Leaves” on Spotify non-stop! It had been 2 years since I last released music, so I’m very grateful. I hope my listeners think about my rendition of “Autumn Leaves” when they are walking at the park or the forest, and see all those colourful leaves falling from the trees. Hopefully my music inspires them to be playful and dance with them.

I can’t think of any particular story that happened so far, but I can say that “Autumn Leaves” is just the first single of an upcoming EP that will come out in the spring of 2024. The EP follows all the seasons: Fall, Christmas, Winter, Spring and Summer. “Autumn Leaves” was just the beginning of something bigger that I am very excited to share with the world!

What must be spoken about at length is the fact that Jordana Delgado has filled this song to the brim with an intensity that words can never bring. Jordana’s art is sophisticated with every element in the art world that will have your attention, hook, line and sinker. This track would be wonderful in La La Land if there ever was a sequel where they meet and talk to each other. This track has the energy of old lovers, making it the perfect song for the film. So, I say, wait no more. Let the drama of emotions sweep you away wordlessly with Autumn Leaves by Jordana Delgado. I urge you to click the links above and bless yourself with great music as they say, music is food for the soul.