“Frankie and Johnny” is a traditional American blues-based popular song. Jump blues is an up-tempo style of blues, usually played by small groups and featuring horn instruments. It was popular in the 1940s and was a precursor of rhythm and blues and rock and roll. Jump blues evolved from the music of big bands and incorporates shuffle rhythms, boogie-woogie bass lines, short patterns or riffs and a deep feeling of syncopated swing. My arrangement for lap steel includes a composed solo that uses some of the cliche’ licks of the jump blues style. Be sure to make up your own variations!

C6 TUNING (low to high) C, E, G, A, C, E