CALDONIA - Free Jazz Leadsheet

“caldonia,” sometimes listed under the longer title “caldonia boogie,” was written in 1945 and credited to Louis Jordan’s then-wife, Fleecie Moore, though Jordan himself is widely regarded as the primary creative force behind the song. The first recording was released in early 1945 by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five and became one of the major rhythm-and-blues hits of the decade.

Many artists, including Woody Herman and James Brown, later created notable versions. Its lyrics mix playful frustration and affection, and its driving boogie-woogie foundation supports a call-and-response style that made it a favorite for energetic stage performance.