About this episode
Jimmy Rushing, “Mr. Five by Five”, was a robust and hearty singer, making full use of his husky frame to deliver lusty presentations whether shouting the blues or imparting his vivacious yet heartfelt style to popular songs. Rushing was born in Oklahoma City to a middle class, musically inclined family, and his development ranged from proper musical lessons to the sounds of the sporting house. He came of age in the 1920's during the flowering of the swinging Southwestern jazz style. Notable bands of the period included Walter Page’s Blue Devils and the Bennie Moten group. These coalesced into the original Count Basie orchestra, with whom Rushing was the featured vocalist from 1936 until the big band’s demise in 1950. Rushing then worked regularly at the Savoy Ballroom until briefly retiring in the mid 1950's. He came back as a freelance attraction, often teaming with fellow Basie-ites such as Buck Clayton and Buddy Tate. Rushing had new life as a regular at the Half Note jazz club in the 1960's, in association with Zoot Sims, Al Cohn and Dave Frishberg. He worked steadily even as failing health curtailed his activities, succumbing to leukemia, dying in June 1972.. originally broadcast November 12, 2017; rebroadcast July 18, 2021