Jerry Wexler term 'rhythm & blues', 1948

   The term "rhythm & blues" is coined by young Billboard reporter and future Atlantic Records producer Jerry Wexler. It will replace the negative "Race Records" chart a year later which signifies the new shift in black music.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Wexler    billboard.com

circa 1952-Producer Jerry Wexler and Turkish-born music producer Ahmet Ertegun sit at a desk with Miriam Abramson, a co-founder of Atlantic Records, inside the offices of Atlantic Records

Jerry Wexler, Alan Freed and Ahmet Ertegun pose for a group portrat during a Rock n' Roll Party at St. Nicholas Arena on January 14, 1955 in New York

history-of-rock.com/atlantic_records.htm