Pop-Up Essay: Louis Jordan as the Creator of R&B Genre
R&B (also known as rhythm and blues) originated from the black community. The term was coined in the late 1940s to replace the title 'race music' and was originally created by Billboard magazine for use as a music marketing term R&B music has gone through many transformations and has been molded and changed by many artists throughout the genres the genres existence. This Pop-Up essay will analyse Louis Jordan life as the perfect example of an individual who defined the genre of R&B. Though R&B is a genre that is alive and well in 2019, it has changed significantly since the time of Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and of course Louis Jordan.
Understanding the overall history of R&B is imperative to learning about how the genre has progressed and how Louis Jordan influenced the genre in its early stages. The name Rhythm and Blues is derived from the bare musical components of the genre. “Rhythm” comes from the dependence on four-beat measure that utilize a strong back beat usually provided by a drummer. This strong back beat made the genre a “danceable” genre a helped spring it into mainstream listening. Blues was a major driving force in the genre’s progression as well. This aspect comes from the lyrics and melodies of the songs, which were often sad, or ‘blue’. The Cardinals, The Swallows, Dunbar Four / Hi Fi’s, the Four Bars of Rhythm, the Five Blue Notes, etc. were all pioneering groups of the R&B genre. R&B tells a complex story of the social, commercial, and artistic struggle of African Americans. Most R&B songs in the past and present revolve around a common theme; they all tell a story or share an experience. They all shared a common topic of African American struggle in American society whether it was civil inequalities in the 40’s or police brutality in the 00’s. R&B has changed with the times and doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.
Born in Brinkley Arkansas in 1908, Louis Jordan was an American musician, songwriter, and bandleader who rose to fame in the late 1930s to the early 1950s. His highest profile came towards the end of the swing era which ranged from 1933-1947. Although Jordan started in the swing genre, according to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, “He has been called “the Father of Rhythm & Blues” and “the grandfather of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Jordan started a slow transition into the R&B genre as the straight swing (most commonly used in jazz music) began transforming in to shuffle rhythms called “jump blues” or “jumpin’ jive,” which all served as a forerunner of R&B.
In many ways, Louis Jordan defined the genre of R&B. His appeal stemmed from his songs’ lively nature and performance of a swinging style that ranged from jazz to ‘bluesy boogie’. He was a pioneer when it came to syncopated shuffle rhythms in a small-combo context. This is most usually seen as the original bridge between jazz and R&B. He was also famous for incorporating organ and electric guitar which was not a usual texture in the mainstream music of that time.
