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Choo Choo Ch'Boogie - Episode 2

Clarke Peters celebrates the centenary of Louis Jordan, continuing with how Jordan and His Tympani Five came to be one of the biggest acts on the scene.

Another chance to hear Clarke Peters celebrate the charismatic and influential musician Louis Jordan.

Louis Jordan with his yard-wide smile, rousing vocals and searing alto saxophone was the bridge from the minstrel show to rock and roll. He started out with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels, and ended up being the main influence on performers like Little Richard and Chuck Berry. In between, he and his Tympany Five created jump-jive music, the feel-good small band sound that bridged the swing era and r'n'b.

Long before The Wire, Clarke Peters wrote, directed and starred in the West End tribute show Five Guys Named Moe, researching behind the scenes to discover the fascinating stories of Jordan's life - his battles with illness, his perfectionism, his comedy, and his enduring influence on the likes of Bill Haley and Ray Charles.

This series originally broadcast in 2008 to mark the centenary of Jordan's birth. The second episode covers how Louis Jordan and his Tympani Five came to be one of the biggest acts on the scene and features music which was covered 20 years later and became some of the biggest hits of early rock and roll.

14 days left to listen

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 18 Sep 2024 01:30

Music Played

  • Louis Jordan

    Choo Choo Ch'boogie

    • Louis Jordan Golden Greats.
    • MCA.
    • DMCL-1631.
  • Louis Jordan

    You Ain't Nowhere

    • At The Swing Cat's Ball.
    • Happy Days/Conifer.
    • CDHD-173.
  • Louis Jordan

    A CHICKEN AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A BIRD

    • Jivin' With Jordan.
    • Proper.
    • PROPERBOX-47.
  • Louis Jordan

    FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE

    • LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!.
    • COOLNOTE.
    • PWKS-4251.
  • Louis Jordan

    KNOCK ME A KISS

    • THE BEST OF.
    • MCA.
    • MCAD-4079.
  • Louis Jordan

    Trust In Me

    • Let the Good times Roll: The Complete Decca Recordings 1938-1954.
    • Bear Family.
    • 15557-..
  • Louis Jordan

    Deacon Jones

    • Jivin' With Jordan.
    • Proper.
    • PROPERBOX-47.
  • Louis Jordan

    WHAT'S THE USE OF GETTIN' SOBER

    • Jivin' with Jordan.
    • Proper.
    • PROPERBOX-47.
  • Louis Jordan

    I'M GONNA MOVE TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN

    • JUMPIN' AND JIVIN'.
    • RECALL.
    • SMDCD-520.
  • Louis Jordan

    The Chicks I Pick Are Slender, Tender And Tall

    • Jivin' With Jordan.
    • Proper.
    • PROPERBOX-47.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 13 Oct 2008 23:30
  • Mon 15 Mar 2010 23:30
  • Thu 6 Dec 2012 21:30
  • Wed 22 May 2013 00:00
  • Wed 28 May 2014 02:00
  • Wed 27 May 2015 02:00
  • Wed 25 May 2016 02:00
  • Wed 14 Jun 2017 02:00
  • Thu 18 Jan 2024 01:30
  • Wed 18 Sep 2024 01:30