Red, Tampa

Tampa Red and “Georgia Tom,” as Dorsey was known, specialised in jivey and risque party music called “ hokum .” Their bawdy first recording, “It's Tight Like That (1928),” was one of the biggest-selling prewar blues records. It encouraged numerous imitators, and initiated what became known as “the hokum sound.” This was characterised by light, airy melodies with sentimental or humorous lyrics, often relying on double-meaning wordplay. Tampa Red and Georgia Tom even...