Is Louis Jordan Is or Is He Ain't fun to listen to?

Last week at my blog, mixtapeshistory.blogspot.com I wrote about a genre of music called Jump Blues. One of the big stars of this genre is a favorite of mine, Louis Jordan. His songs are fun, bouncy and easy to sing along with. The guy could play the saxophone, piano and clarinet. 

Louis Jordan was born July 8, 1908 in Arkansas. He learned about the blues from local musicians. This wasn’t the only music that he loved. He would learn the styles and other musicians. 

He would join the Chick Webb Orchestra, (his big song and personal favorite, Stompin At the Savoy.) Jordan joined the band the same time another talented singer joined, Ella Fitzgerald. They would often duet. She became the big star after Jordan left the band in 1938. 

Decca Records grabbed Jordan quick to record for their label. The hits started in 1940. 

Saturday Night Fish Fry—1940

Caledonia

Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby—1944

He was fun, cooly-dressed and had style. Hollywood was impressed and there are videos made of him performing bit parts in movies and just on stage. 

Jump Blues gave way to other genres in the pop music field and the hits slowed. Jordan would leave Decca in 1954 and signed with Aladdin Records. It didn’t change his fortunes. His fun songs were passe as rock and roll became the genre to listen to. He wouldn't have another hit. 

Jordan died in February 1975.

Jordan won’t be forgotten in music history. His music was used for a Broadway play called “5 Guys Named Moe.” If you were a child in the early 1990s, the PBS show Barney, used his song “Grass Grows All Around” for a sing along. His style and jump blues led to Rock N Roll. I you can find a song by the Coasters, you can see the fun and style they had. Jazz always evolves and you can see the looseness in some forms of jazz. Jordan's talk singing and humor is similar to early rap. 

I got this information from the Louis Jordan website, wikipedia, and Music From 100 Years Ago podcast.