Five Guys Named Moe

Louis Jordan is the guy who originally got the joint jumping

Comments (0) By D.L. Groover Thursday, Jun 17 2010

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The '40s bandleader and jivey saxophonist Louis Jordan has been called the "father of rhythm & blues" and the "grandfather of rock 'n' roll." Although largely forgotten today, Jordan and his successful quintet, The Tympani Five, popularized the jump blues style, with its amalgam of jazz and blues, which directly led to rebellious, free-spirited rock and roll. (Ray Charles, Little Richard and Chuck Berry all credit Jordan as a significant inspiration.) The Tony Award-nominated Five Guys Named Moe, a musical revue based on Jordan's colorful, stylish and up-tempo compositions, uses many of his witty, swinging hit tunes to drive the show. Director Patdro Harris's toe-tappin' rendition, which stars T.C. Carson (known as Kyle Barker from the television series Living Single), features "Caledonia," "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens," "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" and "Look Out Sister," all guaranteed to set the joint jumpin.' 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. Through July 25. Ensemble Theatre, 3535 Main. For information, call 713-520-0055 or visit www.ensemblehouston.com. $18 to $45.
Thursdays-Sundays. Starts: June 19. Continues through July 25, 2010