WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.
Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.
Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter
Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps
Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.
We have two featured artists today.
Jay McShann was born James Columbus McShann in Muskogee, OK on January 12, 1916, and was a jaz pianist, songwriter, singer, and the leader of one of the original Kansas City jump and swing bands. The McShann organization served as a springboard for many of the great jazz and jump blues artists of the 1940s and 1950s including Charlie Parker, Al Hibler, Ben Webster, and Jimmy Witherspoon.
JAY McSHANN RESOURCES
Biography @ wikiepedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Discography of American Hisctorcal Recordings
National Endowment for the Arts
Ruth Brown was born Ruth Alston Weston in Portsmouth, Virginia, on January 12, 1928. Brown was a singer, songwriter, and actor who scored 24 Top 10 R&B hits between
1949 and 1960. On Broadway, she starred in productions of “Amen Corner” and “Black
and Blue.” The latter earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1989.
RUTH BROWN RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Ruth Brown – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Ruth Brown – The Blues Foundation
Ruth Brown – Rhythm & Blues Foundation
WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2026
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date
Shuffle Woogie Joe Lutcher’s Jump Band Capitol Americana Records 1948
Ain’t Nobody’s Business
Jimmy Witherspoon w/ the Jay McShann Orchestra
Supreme Records 1949
The Thrill Is Gone
The Manhattan Transfer w/ Ruth Brown & B.B. King
The Thrill Is Gone 1994
Hey Little Girl Billy Wright Savoy Records 1951
Is You Is My Baby Veronica Lewis You Ain’t Unlucky 2021
So Long
Ruth Brown & The Eddie Condon’s NBC Television Orchestra
Atlantic Records 1949
Teardrops From My Eyes
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Decca Records 1951
Jumpin’ the Blues
Jay McShann w/ Charlie Parker
Decca Records 1942
King Size Papa
Julia Lee & Her Boy Friends w/ Jay McShann
Capitol Records 1948
Hot Biscuits
Jay McShann
Downbeat Records 1949
Don’t Explain Southside Johnny Detour Ahead the Music of Billie Holiday 2018
Jones Law Blues Planet D Nonet Kings Of Kansas City Swing… 2019
Old Kidney Stew Is Fine
Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson w/ T-Bone Walker & Jay McShann
Kidney Stew Is Fine 1969
Mambo Baby
Ruth Brown
Atlantic Records 1954
Hands Off
Jay McShann w/ Priscilla Bowman
Vee Jay Records 1955
Back Water Blues
Jay McShann w/ Maria Muldaur & Duke Robillard
Still Jumpin’ The Blues 1999
I Can’t Get Started
Slim Gaillard w/ Buddy Tate & Jay McShann
Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere 1983
I’ve Got A Feelin’ Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025
Pool Playing Blues Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1947
This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin’
Ruth Brown w/ Mickey Baker & King Curtis
Atlantic Records 1958
McShann’s Bounce Part 1
Jay McShann
Supreme Records 1947
Bye, Bye Blackbird
Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, & Ruth Brown
The Big Band Sound of Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Featuring Miss Ruth Brown 1968
Evenin’ Tony Bennett w/ Ray Charles Playing With My Friends… 2001
Playful Baby Wynonie “Blues” Harris Apollo Records 1946
No Name Boogie Boogie
Jay McShann as “Woogie Jackson”
Down Beat Records 1948
He May Be Your Man
Helen Humes w/ Jay McShann & Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Let The Good Times Roll 1973
If I Can’t Sell It (I’ll Keep Sittin’ On It)
Ruth Brown
Blues On Broadway 1989
(sign off)
Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005
WRFG Route 66 