Slim Gaillard

Bulee "Slim" Gaillard (January 4, 1911 or 1916 - February 26, 1991) was an American jazz singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist, noted for his scat singing and wordplay.

Related Topics:
January 4 - 1911 - 1916 - February 26 - 1991 - Scat singing

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Gaillard first rose to prominence in the late 1930s as part of Slim & Slam, a jazz novelty act he formed with bassist Slam Stewart. Their hits included "Flat Foot Floogie (with a Floy Floy)", "Cement Mixer (Puti Puti)" and the hipster anthem. "The Groove Juice Special (Opera in Vout)". Vout was Gaillard's private term for the hip argot. The duo perform in the 1941 movie Hellzapoppin'.

Related Topics:
Slim & Slam - Slam Stewart - Hipster - Argot - 1941 - Hellzapoppin'

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A later duo teamed him with bassist Bam Brown. His 1945 session with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie is notable, both musically and for its relaxed convivial air.

Related Topics:
Bam Brown - 1945 - Charlie Parker - Dizzy Gillespie

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Gaillard's appeal was similar to Cab Calloway and Louis Jordan in that he presented a hip style with broad appeal (for example in his children's song "Down By The Station"). Unlike them, he was a master improviser whose stream of consciousness vocals ranged far afield from the original lyrics along with wild interpolations of nonsense syllables like "McVouty oreeney". One such performance is celebrated in the novel "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac.

Related Topics:
Cab Calloway - Louis Jordan - Stream of consciousness - Jack Kerouac

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Gaillard appeared in the 1970s TV series and by the early 1980s he was touring the European jazz festival circuit, playing with such musicians as Arnette Cobb.

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He appeared in the musical film Absolute Beginners (1986) singing "Selling out".

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