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Choo Choo Ch'Boogie - Episode 1

Clarke Peters celebrates the life and career of Louis Jordan, beginning with the story of the smash hit Five Guys Named Moe and featuring Jordan's mentor, bandleader Jesse Stone.

One of the most extrovert characters in show business history, 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.
Nobody is more steeped in Jordan's life and work than Clarke Peters, who not only wrote, directed and starred in the West End tribute show Five Guys Named Moe, but researched 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.
Pacey, fast moving and packed with good humour, the series is just like a Jordan performance. As we enter his unique sound world, we hear the hits, Saturday Night Fish Fry, Outskirts of Town, Caldonia, and Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens, a string of million-sellers that made his name.
This series was first broadcast in 2008, to coincide with the centenary of Louis Jordan's birth.

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 18 Sep 2024 01:00

Music Played

  • Louis Jordan

    Choo Choo Ch'boogie

    • Louis Jordan Golden Greats.
    • MCA.
    • DMCL-1631.
  • PETERS, CLARKE & LONDON CAST

    FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE

    • FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE - LONDON CAST RECORD.
    • FIRST NIGHT RECORDS.
    • CAST CD-23.
  • Martha Jordan

  • Martha Jordan

  • Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five

    Buzz Me

    • Live Jive.
    • A Touch Of Magic.
    • DATOM-4.
  • Louis Jordan

  • Louis Armstrong

    When You're Smiling

    • AFTER THE BREAK.
    • COLUMBIA.
    • SONY TV-30CD.
  • Louis Armstrong

    St James Infirmary

    • Louis Armstrong IV.
    • CBS.
    • CBS-4663082.
  • Louis Armstrong

    DINAH

    • A Life In Music Vol...5.
    • CBS.
    • 520-27.
  • Louis Jordan

  • Louis Jordan

  • Clarence Williams

    I CAN'T DANCE (I GOT ANTS IN MY PANTS)

    • CLASSIC JAZZ MASTERS.
    • CLASSIC JAZZ MASTERS.
    • CJM-16.
  • Louis Jordan

  • Chick Webb and His Orchestra

    Rusty Hinge

    • Stompin' At The Savoy.
    • Proper.
    • PROPERBOX-97.
  • Louis Jordan

  • Chick Webb and His Orchestra

    There's Frost On The Moon

    • Stompin' At The Savoy.
    • Proper.
    • PROPERBOX-97.
  • Louis Jordan

  • Jesse Stone

  • Louis Jordan

    HONEY IN THE BEE BALL

    • AT THE SWING CATS' BALL (THE EARLY YEARS.
    • JSP.
    • JSPCD-330.
  • Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five

    At The Swing Cats Ball

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

    KEEP A KNOCKIN'

    • AT THE SWING CATS BALL.
    • JSP.
    • CD-330.
  • Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five

    Choo Choo Ch'boogie

    • Louis Jordan And His Tympany Five.
    • JSP Records.
    • CD 905.
  • Five Guys Named Moe - Original London Cast

    Five Guys Named Moe

    • Five Guys Named Moe - Original London Cast.
    • Rhythm Safari - First Night.
    • none.
  • Louis Jordan

    Buzz Me

    • BD Music Presents Louis Jordan.
    • BDMUSIC.
    • none.
  • Louis Armstrong

    When You're Smiling/St. James Infirmary

    • Complete RCA Victor Recordings.
    • Bluebird.
    • 09026-63846-2.
  • Clarence Williams

    I Can't Dance I Got Ants In My Pants

    • Complete Jazz Seriers 1933 - 1934.
    • Challenge Records International.
    • none.
  • LOUIS JORDAN

    Rusty Hinge

    • LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!.
    • PICKWICK.
    • PWKS-4251.
  • Chick Webb & Ella Fitzgerald

    THERE'S FROST ON THE MOON

    • Jazz Foundations, Vol. 14.
    • Werner Last's Favourites Jazz.
    • none.
  • Louis Jordan

    HONEY IN THE BEE BALL

    • Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five.
    • JSP.
    • JSPCD905A.
  • Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five

    At The Swing Cats Ball

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

    KEEP A KNOCKIN'

    • Jivin' With Jordan: Five Guys Named Mo.
    • Proper.
    • P-1285.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 6 Oct 2008 23:30
  • Mon 8 Mar 2010 23:30
  • Thu 29 Nov 2012 21:30
  • Tue 21 May 2013 00:00
  • Tue 27 May 2014 02:00
  • Tue 26 May 2015 02:00
  • Tue 24 May 2016 02:00
  • Tue 13 Jun 2017 02:00
  • Thu 18 Jan 2024 01:00
  • Wed 18 Sep 2024 01:00