Old State House to salute Louis Jordan

The Old State House Museum will salute Louis Jordan, the Brinkley, Arkansas, native and the father of rhythm and blues on August 10, 2012, as part of downtown Little Rock’s Second Friday Art Night. The event will take place at the museum from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is free.

As a saxophonist and vocalist, Louis Jordan charted more than 50 top-ten hits during his 1940s heyday. Owing to his continuing appeal, the Greasy Greens will perform as part of the celebration. The long-lived and dynamic group performs “jumpin’ jive” music, with the band line-up similar to the classic instrumentation of Jordan’s band, the Tympani Five.

The celebration of Louis Jordan will continue with a screening of the 60-minute documentary film Is You Is: A Louis Jordan Story. Producer Stephen Koch and assistant director Zachariah McCannon will introduce the film and provide commentary afterward. Koch is a champion of Jordan and the host of Arkansongs, the weekly syndicated radio program highlighting Arkansas music and musicians.

The Old State House Museum is one of several downtown locations that host 2nd Friday Art Night, an evening of entertainment and exhibits. While here, shop the Museum Store and enjoy refreshments. Visitors may ride the trolley to visit other, participating venues. 2nd Friday Art Night is sponsored by the Arkansas Times. For more information about this event, please contact Brooke Malloy at (501) 324-8645, or email Brooke@ArkansasHeritage.org.

About the Old State House Museum

The Old State House Museum is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and shares the goal of all seven Department of Arkansas Heritage agencies, that of preserving and enhancing the heritage of the state of Arkansas. The agencies are Arkansas Arts Council, Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Historic Arkansas Museum, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and the Old State House Museum.