During the 2018 holiday season, Shirley and Lee’s 1956 hit, “Let the Good Times Roll,” accompanied Walmart’s Christmas-themed TV commercial. In 2016, Professor Longhair’s 1959 recording of “Go to the Mardi Gras” accompanied Subaru’s “Jr. Driver” spot.

Classics from the golden age of New Orleans rhythm and blues are often licensed for film and TV. That would surprise the musicians, ...