Deep Deuce in Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

James (Jimmy) Andrew Rushing

“Mr. Five by Five”

— August 26, 1903 - June 8, 1972 —

James (Jimmy) Andrew Rushing Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

1. James (Jimmy) Andrew Rushing Marker

Inscription. World's leading male blues vocalist for ten consecutive years, he was born into a musically, talented family in Deep Deuce and began his professional career in 1927. A mature tenor, with a high-pitched, penetrating voice that could be heard for blocks, he was the best known of the “blues shouters,” but crossed from blues to jazz. He sang with Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Walter Page, and Buck Clayton. He formed his own band, toured the United States and Europe, and appeared in movies. His best-known recordings are “Going to Chicago” and “Every Day I Have the Blues” with the Basie orchestra. He is among Blacks honored with a Black History Series Stamp.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is August 26, 1903.

Location. 35° 28.174′ N, 97° 30.441′ W. Marker is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Deep Deuce. It is at the intersection of North Central Avenue and Northeast 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north on North Central Avenue. Marker is embedded in the sidewalk at the southeast

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corner. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 N Central Ave, Oklahoma City OK 73104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Charles (Charlie) A. Christian (a few steps from this marker); Dr. William Lewis Haywood (a few steps from this marker); Charles “Bird” Christopher Parker Jr. (a few steps from this marker); James “Doughbelly” Brooks (within shouting distance of this marker); Russell M. Perry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Inman E. Page (about 400 feet away); The Lyons Mansion (about 400 feet away); Roscoe Dunjee (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.

Also see . . .
1. Jimmy Rushing: Profiles in Jazz.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

2. James (Jimmy) Andrew Rushing Marker

During the swing era, there were two types of male singers that were employed by many big bands, and then there was Jimmy Rushing. (Scott Yanow, The Syncopated Times, April 30, 2021) (Submitted on August 3, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Little Jimmy Rushing Sings the Blues (YouTube). Mr. Five by Five, Jimmy Rushing, sings the blues, with help from Buck Clayton on trumpet, and the Vice President, Paul Quinichette on tenor. From The Subject Is Jazz, 1958. (Uploaded by Jazz Video Guy on Aug. 9, 2019) (Submitted on August 3, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Jimmy Rushing performin at the Aquarium in New York City image. Click for full size.

William P. Gottlieb; via Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), circa October 1946

3. Jimmy Rushing performin at the Aquarium in New York City

He became known as “Mr. Five By Five” because of his portly build. The nickname spawned a hit song of the same name, with the lyrics “He’s five feet tall and he’s five feet wide. He don’t measure no more from head to toe than he does from side to side.” While it was written with Rushing in mind, his name is never mentioned in the song nor is he known to have ever sung it.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 81 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 3, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.