One of Arkansas' most influential musicians is being honored this weekend through music and entertainment at Wildwood Park.

Stratsimir Pavlov and Cliff Baker collaborated to come up with upbeat songs, ballads, and song and dance numbers to create "Jump! The Louis Jordan Story," being performed this weekend.

(Cliff Baker, Artistic Director) “It's a dazzling array of his work. We've really captured the blues and all of that, and at the same time have the upbeat sort of swing music going.”

The script, written by Stephen Koch, takes audience members through Louis Jordan's life. Jordan, who would have been turning 100 this year, is arguably the most influential musician from Arkansas.

(Baker) “He invested music with a certain kind of rhythm and energy that took jazz and blues to kind of a different level and gave it a different rhythm. And it became the precursor to rock and roll.”

Seven local performers, a five piece jump band, and a complete fish-fry based on Louis Jordan's Saturday Night's Fish Fry song promises to be a night full of entertainment.

(Baker) “He had an amazing impact on music that most Arkansans don't know. And so we're really happy to help highlight again the contribution that he made into American music. You know, one of our native sons and daughters from Brinkley, Arkansas.”

The two shows and fish fries are Saturday and Sunday night, starting at 6:00.

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