Tulsa native Kolbi Jordan to perform at Juneteenth Festival

Tulsa native and American Idol finalist Kolbi Jordan will perform at the city’s Juneteenth Festival on Friday, June 20.

Thursday, June 19th 2025, 8:42 am

By: Brooke Cox

TULSA, Okla. -

Tulsa native Kolbi Jordan, who finished in the Top Ten on Season 23 of American Idol, is returning home to perform at the Tulsa Juneteenth Festival.

Her performance is set for Friday, June 20, during the multi-day celebration in the historic Greenwood District.

Tulsa Roots and Musical Journey

Jordan, a 2016 graduate of Union High School, was raised in Tulsa and began performing at a young age. She sang in church growing up and was active in her school’s music and theater programs.

At Union, she performed with the school’s jazz ensemble, acted in theater productions—including a standout role as the Dragon in Shrek the Musical—and sang the national anthem at her graduation ceremony.

As a teenager, she also formed a gospel group called All Shades of Gospel, showcasing her early commitment to uplifting and soulful music.

Rise on 'American Idol'

Jordan earned national attention during her American Idol audition in Nashville with a rendition of Chrisette Michele’s “Epiphany (I’m Leaving).”

Her performance earned her a Platinum Ticket, making her the first contestant of the season to receive the honor, which allowed her to skip a round of Hollywood Week.

Her dynamic vocal style and emotional delivery carried her into the Top Ten, winning over both judges and fans.

Performance Details

Jordan is among the featured artists at this year’s Tulsa Juneteenth Festival, a celebration of Black culture, freedom and creativity. Her performance will be on Friday, June 20, at 8:30 p.m.

The festival runs through the weekend in the Greenwood District and features live music, food vendors, family-friendly activities and more.

In addition to her Tulsa appearance, Jordan is also scheduled to perform at a Juneteenth event in Nashville.