6 x 9. 320 pgs. 35 photographs. (1994) Paper 978-0-472-08478-4 $29.95T  Available Add to Cart Search this Book's Content About the Book Praise Series The Michigan American Music Series Subjects African-American and African Studies / Music

Let the Good Times Roll
The Story of Louis Jordan and His Music

John Chilton

Winner: Association for Recorded Sound Collections' 1992 Award for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research, Recorded Jazz or Blues

The first biography of the father of rhythm and blues

---

About the Book

Louis Jordan (1908-75) is the acknowledged father of rhythm and blues, the jazz saxophonist and vocalist whose inventiveness acted as a bridge between jazz and rhythm and blues, paving the way for Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, James Brown, and countless others.

By combining the music of his rural African-American heritage with the sophisticated sounds of nightclub bands, Jordan produced a unique style. His inspired vocals, blending the humor and pathos of his upbringing, soon won him a huge following. Jordan and his Tympany Five made a string of bestselling records that included "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby," "Caldonia," and "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie." Posthumously, Jordan's name has reached a new audience via the Broadway show Five Guys Named Moe.

John Chilton is the author of several books on jazz, including the Who's Who of Jazz.