The Story So Far

Born and raised in New Harbour on the shores of Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, Jordan Harnum is a musician, songwriter, storyteller and traveller whose life has been shaped by the people, traditions and rugged landscapes of his home province.

With a lifelong passion for music, nature and exploration, Jordan has spent more than a decade performing and sharing Newfoundland's stories with audiences across Canada and around the world. From small community halls and festival stages to expedition voyages through Newfoundland, Labrador, Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, music has taken him to some remarkable places and introduced him to people from all walks of life.

In 2017, Jordan released his debut album, The Boys Around the Bay, produced and co-written with Glenn Simmons. The album earned a 2018 MusicNL nomination for Celtic Artist of the Year. Together with his recordings as part of the folk duo Ever Sweet, his music has accumulated over half a million streams across digital platforms.

His songwriting often reflects Newfoundland's fishing heritage, family, community and connection to the sea. For three years, Jordan also worked part-time in the lobster, halibut and crab fisheries while continuing his music career, gaining firsthand experience in an industry that has shaped generations of Newfoundland families.

Throughout his career, Jordan has performed at festivals, theatres and venues across Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond. In 2023, he joined The Navigators for a 28-date provincial tour, including performances at every Arts and Culture Centre in Newfoundland and Labrador. His experience also includes multiple showcases at the East Coast Music Awards and MusicNL Week, appearances at festivals including Writers at Woody Point's Sonic Harvest and Trails, Tales and Tunes, and performances alongside artists such as Alan Doyle and Matt Mays.

Jordan has also completed three weekend residencies at Fogo Island Inn, while his work in entertainment has extended beyond music with an appearance in the television series Frontier.

Much of Jordan's touring in recent years has been alongside his partner, Joelle Sunshine, with whom he formed the folk duo Ever Sweet. Sharing a love of music, travel and storytelling, the pair have toured extensively throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, Eastern Canada and, most recently, across the country.

In 2025, Ever Sweet completed a two-month tour with singer-songwriter Kylie Fox, followed by a three-month cross-Canada tour featuring approximately 60 performances. Their appearances have included Gander's Festival of Flight and The Patch at the 2026 Montana's Brier in St. John's.

The duo released their debut album, Red Sky, in 2024, produced by Phil Churchill of The Once, and received two nominations at the 2025 MusicNL Awards for Rising Star of the Year and Traditional Artist of the Year.

Together, Jordan and Joelle established Olde House Shows in Twillingate, an intimate live music venue where touring artists, locals and visitors from around the world gather to share a meal, a song and a genuine Newfoundland experience. What began as a way to welcome musicians into their home has grown into a gathering place for artists and audiences, earning a 2026 MusicNL nomination for Venue of the Year.

Building on years of touring and relationships throughout the Canadian music industry, Jordan has also expanded his work through Olde House Shows into artist booking and tour development, helping musicians connect with venues and audiences across Canada. In 2026, he participated in MusicNL Week as an export delegate, with a focus on rural music development and creating opportunities for artists and communities.

Beyond the stage, Jordan's love of travel and exploration has led to extensive experience in tourism and cultural interpretation. As a member of Adventure Canada's expedition team, he has travelled through remote regions of Canada and beyond, sharing music, history and stories with international travellers. His travels and knowledge of Newfoundland culture have also led to interviews and features in publications including Canadian Traveller, USA Today and Lonely Planet, where he shared his perspective as a Newfoundland music expert.

More recently, Jordan took on the role of Project Manager for the Town of Twillingate's Cruise Ship Safety and Visitor Enhancements project, working with tourism partners and community stakeholders to improve visitor infrastructure, cultural programming and tourism experiences.

Drawing on his firsthand experience and regional knowledge, Jordan is now expanding into personalized travel planning and tourism consulting, helping travellers, groups and organizations explore Newfoundland and Atlantic Canada while supporting the development of meaningful local and cultural experiences.

Among Jordan's most meaningful songwriting achievements is the selection of the opening verse of On the Labrador, co-written with Jeff Pittman, for an upcoming Newfoundland and Labrador Grade 7 Geography textbook. Featured alongside excerpts from two iconic Newfoundland songs, The Banks of Newfoundland and Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's, the material explores the fisheries and traditions that have shaped the province. The textbook is currently being printed for distribution to schools through Breakwater Books, with the material expected to be used for the next eight years.

Today, Jordan and Joelle call Twillingate home, where they continue to build a life around music, travel and community. This winter, they're looking forward to welcoming their first child, a baby boy.

For Jordan, the thought of one day having his son open a school textbook and read about his great-great-grandfather and their family's fishing heritage is a surreal feeling connecting generations through music and storytelling.