Caldonia [SEP] performer
Caldonia
"Caldonia" is a jump blues song, first recorded in 1945 by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five. A version by Erskine Hawkins, also in 1945, was described by "Billboard" magazine as "rock and roll", the first time that phrase was used in print to describe any style of music.
Louis Jordan recording.
In 1942, Jordan had started on an unparalleled run of success on the "Billboard" Harlem Hit Parade (forerunner of the R&B chart), which by 1945
shouting out "How'm I Doin', Mr. President?" – which became his catchphrase – during his performance of "Caldonia". He was the first African American performer to appear at the annual WHCA dinner. He began touring major theaters, setting box office records in Detroit and California. In 1949 he was given special permission to join the American Federation of Musicians and record his first releases on Capitol Records, "Numbers Boogie" and "Caldonia", both reaching the "Billboard" R&B chart. In 1950, he