About Aural Alchemists
About
Aural Alchemists
[awr-uhl] [al-kuh-mists]: artists who are dedicated to the craftsmanship of music. They’re obsessed with how sound is transformed into feeling. They create with care and intent.
Thoughtful Collaboration That Elevates Your Vision
Hi, I’m CJ. I developed my approach to music production over the course of 7 years through a mix of trial by fire, formal training, and pure curiosity. I’m a hands-on collaborator with a background in composition, Jazz saxophone, and engineering across the American soup of genres.
I believe direct, thoughtful communication that fosters trust and creativity. When you work with me, I create a relaxed, exploratory environment. This allows time to experiment and refine each element of your music with purpose.
You won’t find a yes-man here — you’ll get honest feedback and insight to push your project to its full potential. My aim is to help you create music that feels timeless with the utmost care, intentionality, and authenticity. If you have a clear vision and seek collaboration, then we might be a good fit.
Why I'm Obsessed With Making Music
I’m obsessed with how music transforms sound into emotion. The reason why you’d make a song — over a poem, over a painting, over any other art form — is to viscerally and instantly communicate emotions. It’s spiritual in some sense.
Music’s capacity to communicate a feeling has marked many moments in my life. It has been at the foundation at the most pivotal times in my life. So, I want to create as many of these moments as possible with amazing people to enrich the lives of other amazing people.
(throwback to the college days)
In everything I do, I’m focused on the exact we want to achieve. All the little decisions that go into producing your music add up. My intention is for the sum to be greater than its parts. So, I leave nothing to chance from songwriting to engineering. The craftsmanship that goes into every move is alchemy of the aural persuasion.
What Influenced My Sound
My sound is shaped by a wide range of musical influences. I grew up performing Soul and Gospel music and absorbed their richness. I studied eras of Jazz for its complex melody and harmony and multiple Latin American traditions for their intricate rhythms. And I could never not enjoy the raw energy of independent Hip-Hop or the edge of Alternative Rock.
These diverse genres taught me how to blend structure with emotion. I bring that into every project I work on. I synthesize my musical influences and mentorship into a writing style that’s additive to your creative process and helps you create a distinctive sound.
The time I spent mainly as a Jazz saxophonist gave me a deep appreciation for collaboration, improvisation, and musical depth. This experience helps me adapt quickly in the studio and push artists to explore fresh ideas while staying true to their vision.
In addition to years of production training, I’ve worked through tons of experimentation — from DIY recording spaces to professional studios. This helped me developed a unique approach to capturing what makes each artist special.
5 Principles You & I Will Abide By...
1. Do the right thing, even if it costs an arm and a leg. I will to tell you the truth, take ownership of my actions, and be selfless as much as possible.
2. Use superior effort or no effort at all. I go all-in on the projects I care about, and if I can’t give you my best effort, then I won’t work with you.
3. Aim for 1% improvement every day. Every moment we work together, I will strive to pull out your best and my best. And guess what? After all of that, I’ll still ask for better.
4. Take life by the horns and ride it into the ground. I don’t let the challenges your music brings intimidate me. I’ll take them head-on because I want the best out of anything we work on.
5. Do not tolerate liabilities under any circumstance. I won’t allow anything to get in the way of your music — not me, not my team, not even you.
I value integrity, hard work, and growth. I work with artists who do the same. If any of this turns you off in any way, shape, or form, then I understand. However, if what I’m saying resonates with you, then contact me today to get started!
What My Colleagues Have To Say About Me
“CJ is an exceptional engineer, music producer, and content curator. His dedication, diligence, and unwavering commitment to his craft are truly remarkable… His presence alone elevates any environment, and his relentless pursuit of excellence consistently yields outstanding results…”
“CJ’s attention to detail and finely-tuned ear allow for precision that I’ve rarely seen elsewhere in my career. If you are looking for a passionate audio engineer who will invest their very soul into your recording project, I would absolutely recommend working with CJ.”
“He is personable and professional. His attention to detail is impeccable and he pays close attention to the needs of the artist… He makes everyone’s jobs easy and leaves the guess work out of the production process… I would highly recommend booking CJ for all your engineering and production needs!”
About C. Jordan Alexander
About
C. Jordan Alexander
Unorthodox Cowriter + Recovering Jazz Musician + Aural Alchemist
Unorthodox Cowriter
Recovering Jazz Musician
Aural Alchemist
Meet C. Jordan Alexander — but you can call him CJ. In an industry chasing trends and viral moments, CJ’s focus is simple: to craft music that sticks with you. He’s passionate about turning raw emotion into timeless, authentic art.
Coming out of Calumet City, IL, CJ’s musical journey started in a community of exceptional musicians. He grew up on an rich blend of Jazz, Soul and Motown classics, independent Hip-Hop, Gospel, and Alternative Rock. He studied Jazz saxophone at Northern Illinois University where he toured the US and Mexico as part of NIU’s Jazz Ensemble.
Curiosity led him to NIU’s Recording Arts program where trial and error shaped his intentional and authentic approach to music — from makeshift studios to commercial facilities. CJ developed his writing style leading up to and during this time. He draws inspiration from artists like Kamasi Washington, Soil & “Pimp” Sessions, and The Internet.
(At the Jazz Education Network in 2018)
With over 15 years as a musician and 7 years as a producer and engineer, CJ is known for helping artists explore new creative territory while staying true to their essence. His experience spans every aspect of music production:
- DIY recordings in kitchens and garages
- live sound for big bands and chamber ensembles
- engineering for singers and rappers
- pushing boundaries for full-band productions
- and acting as musical director and producer for Midwest Music Deposit.
For CJ, music is a craft that communicates on a primal level. “The reason you’d make a song — over a poem, a painting, or any other art form — is to viscerally and instantly communicate emotions.” He sees every project as a chance to create something that transcends the moment and impacts people’s lives.
CJ’s creative process blends the cerebral with the visceral and intuitive. He draws on four key elements:
- the intricacy of Jazz composition
- the rawness of R&B and Hip-Hop
- the philosophy of Classical counterpoint
- and the groove and syncopation from Latin American music traditions
He constantly experiments with writing and engineering techniques. CJ always aims to push musical boundaries while staying true to the roots and emotions of each project. Whether it’s a complex arrangement or a stripped-back melody, CJ strikes a balance between innovation and authenticity to ensure that every track connects with listeners.
Working with CJ means having a hands-on collaborator to challenge and support you to achieve. He creates a relaxed yet focused environment, where your vision shapes every step. His attention to detail ensures that every decision — whether in songwriting or mixing — serves the bigger picture: your music.
Artists who have worked with CJ speak to his unique blend of creativity, professionalism, and meticulous care:
- “CJ is so kind. He’s so communicative. You can count on CJ absolutely — no matter what — to handle your record with a ton of care. He’s amazing.”
- “I’ve brought CJ multiple sets of music, and to my surprise, he completely changed the sound without changing the song. It’s beyond talent. This is passion, practice, and persistence at its finest.”
- “He has a real talent for seeing the song in its entirety — zooming out to capture the essence and then zooming in to bring it to life. I loved how we got to know the song together and then gave it the textures it deserved.”
Looking ahead, CJ’s goal is clear: to help serious artists create records that contribute to pivotal moments in their careers. His focus is on shaping a supremely intentional approach to music-making that helps artists impact the minds and hearts of their fans. Together with the artists he supports, CJ aims to craft music that will stand the test of time.
Access Your FREE Album Success Planner
Bringing your creative vision to life isn’t always easy. Between refining your songs and managing all the moving parts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or stuck. That’s why I’ve developed the Album Success Planner to help you stay organized, keep on track, and approach your project with clarity.
The Album Success Planner will help you:
- Map out your creative vision and timeline to stay organized
- Keep all your collaborators and sessions on the same page
- Approach the studio with confidence, knowing everything is planned out