A bandleader who played a swinging alto sax, Louis Jordan sang, composed and most of all entertained audiences of every background. Born in 1908 in Arkansas, his pioneering blend of styles produced a string of hits during the1930s-50s that broadened musical tastes and led into the roots of rock. Four singles with his Tympany Five band in the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame were released by Decca in the mid-1940s: "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens," "Caldonia Boogie," "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie," and "Let The Good Times Roll." The icon died in 1975.
A posthumous recipient of the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, Jordan will be honored by 12-time GRAMMY nominee Ledisi, who will perform a medley of "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" and "Let The Good Times Roll" on the upcoming third annual "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends."
"Without him we wouldn't have R&B, blues, jazz, all mixed up together," said Ledisi. "I love that he mixed the genres together and was able to write songs and produce songs for everyone."
Watch her performance during the special tribute concert that will air on PBS at 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5 (check your local listings) and will be available to stream the following day via pbs.org/gperf.
