Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five

Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five was an American jump blues and early rhythm and blues small group active from 1939 to 1951, led by saxophonist and singer Louis Jordan. The ensemble favored up-tempo, swing-influenced rhythms, tight horn-driven arrangements, and witty, performance-oriented vocals, with a compact band sound built around Jordan's saxophone and vocal delivery plus piano, bass, and percussion or guitar. Their economical, danceable approach blended elements of jazz and blues and is widely cited as an important link between big band swing and later developments in rhythm and blues and early rock and roll.