Jordan was born in Brinkley, Arkansas, in 1908. He studied clarinet and saxophone and while still in his teens, and in the Thirties, he was invited to join Chick Webb’s orchestra at New York’s Savoyballroom. As Webb was physically disabled, Jordan took over the leader’s usual role of MC at shows. In 1938, Webb fired Jordanafter he suspected Jordanof trying to take over control of the orchestra.
Jordan soon had a new band and a Recording deal with Decca Records. The first recording session for his new band, which would later be dubbed, “The Tympany Five,” was in late 1938. His band contained an ever-changing lineup of sidemen that would accompany Jordan’s singing and saxophone on his Forties hits, “Five Guys Named More,” “Knock Me A Kiss,” “Caledonia,” and a song which some claim to be the first rock and roll recording, “Saturday Night Fish Fry.” Jordan’s recordings were raucous and often humorous, with a solid narrative structure. His songs celebrated good times, food, drinking, parties, and women.
Jordan became the most successful African-American bandleader in the country save Duke Ellington and Count Basie. He was one of the first African-American “crossover” artists as well. Unlike other African-American artists who were known only to African-American audiences, Jordanwas very popular with white audiences, too.
Jordan’s best recordings can be found on the following collections: “The Best of Louis Jordan” (1975), “Louis Jordan’s Greatest Hits” (1980), and “Rock and Roll” (1989).
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