Louis Jordan - One Of The Most Important Contributors To The Birth Of Rock & Roll Louis Jordan was one of the most important figures in the developing stages of rock and roll music;
Jordan came out of the New York big band swing scene in late 1930's Leading his own band by 1942 playing a style called jump blues. Example is Caldonia (below) Jump blues was the bridge between big band swing and rhythm & blues (R&B) of the late 40's R&B of the late 40's emerged into Rock & Roll
He had it all covered; he was an energetic entertainer who wrote great catchy songs loaded with wit and humor, sang, band leader, played the alto saxophone.
Even though the tenor is my favorite and the one I play, Louis Jordan's approach to alto was like a tenor. Another alto player like this is Earl Bostic and later Edgar Winter. By that mean it sounded big and ripping and he made it wail. Most other guys were playing this raunchy style on the tenor.
If you're new to the sax or just like any kind of swing jazz, jump blues, R&B, and rock & roll music then you gotta love Louis Jordan. He was a true inovator and his brand of Jump Blues was a big influence on R&B and rock & roll. A few other artists that credit Louis Jordan as a major