Artist:Louis Jordan
Song:Let The Good Times Roll
Album:The Best Of Louis Jordan
Not only was Louis Jordan the most popular black musician of the 40s, he created Rhythm & Blues and his music is still entertaining today. He was born July 8, 1908 in Brinkley, AR. His father was a musician. Jordan majored in music at Arkansas Baptist College and moved with his family to Philadelphia in 1932. He joined Chick Webb's band in 1936 and left in 1938 to go solo. He formed The Tympany Five in 1939. All kinds of guys went through that band including Wild Bill Davis, Bill Doggett, Dallas Bartley & Chris Columbus. Beginning in 1942, Jordan scored 57 straight R & B chart hits on Decca. Many songs like Caldonia and Choo Choo Ch' Boogie are classics with Jordan's combination of "jumpin' jive" and humour. All of his recordings were on Decca so this comp is perfect. Let The Good Times Roll reached #2 on the R & B chart in 1946. It was written by veteran New Orleans blues singer Sam Theard and co-credited to Jordan's wife Fleecie Moore. Jordan would do that sometimes to get around music publishing restrictions. This song is different fron the 1956 Shirley & Lee hit called Let The Good Times Roll. Jordan was extremely popular with the troops during WWII and also made several entertaining film appearances. Jordan's career petered out in the early 50s when he attempted to start a big band. He left Decca in 1954 but continued to record until his death on Feb. 4, 1975 at age 66. Louis Jordan's music is essential for anyone interested in black music. Here's Louis Jordan & The Tympany Five performing Let The Good Times Roll at the Apollo in New York City.
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