The Washboard Rhythm Kings were a dynamic jazz ensemble originating from the United States, active primarily around 1930 to 1935. Known by various names such as the Washboard Rhythm Boys, Georgia Washboard Stompers, Alabama Washboard Stompers, and Chicago Hot Five, they were a loose aggregation of talented jazz musicians. The group was recognized for their lively, swinging music that often included spirited vocals, horns, and the distinctive sound of a washboard, occasionally accompanied by a kazoo.

Their music style was a blend of early jazz and pre-war country blues, falling between Dixieland and swing, and was particularly popular during the Great Depression for its upbeat and good-time feel. The Washboard Rhythm Kings were influential in the development of skiffle music in the 1950s and were noted for their informal and wild recordings, such as their 1932 take on "Tiger Rag," which has been cited as an early precursor to rock and roll.

The band recorded for several major labels, including Victor, Vocalion, Columbia, ARC, and Decca. Notable members included guitarist Teddy Bunn, trumpeters Taft Jordan and Valaida Snow, and vocalists Leo Watson and Steve Washington. Bruce Johnson, also known as Bruce Wiley Robinson, was a key washboard player and vocalist in the group. Their song "Pepper Steak" later gained cultural significance when it was sampled in the indie game "Off."

The Washboard Rhythm Kings also appeared in short films under the name Washboard Serenaders, contributing to films like "That's the Spirit" (1933), "Carnival Time" (1936), and "The Black Network" (1936). Despite the varying personnel and multiple aliases, the Washboard Rhythm Kings left a lasting impact on the jazz and blues genres with their innovative use of the washboard as a musical instrument.