SLAM STEWART QUINTET - Slammin' The Gate

RECORDED IN 1945. Bill DeArango - guitar, Red Norvo - vibraharp, Morey Feld - drums, Slam Stewart - bass & vocal, Johnny Guarnieri - piano. Leroy Eliot 'Slam' Stewart (born 21 September 1914 - died 10 December 1987) was an African American jazz bass player whose trademark style was his ability to bow the bass (arco) and simultaneously hum or sing an octave higher. He was originally a violin player before switching to bass at the age of 20.Stewart was born in Englewood, New Jersey in 1914. While attending the Boston Conservatory, he heard Ray Perry singing along with his violin. This gave him the inspiration to follow suit with his bass. In 1937 Stewart teamed with Slim Gaillard to form the novelty jazz act Slim and Slam. The duo's biggest hit was "Flat Foot Floogie (with a Floy Floy)" in 1938 (see 1938 in music). Stewart found regular session work throughout the 1940s with Lester Young, Fats Waller, Coleman Hawkins, Art Tatum, Johnny Guarnieri, Red Norvo, Don Byas, the Benny Goodman Sextet, Beryl Booker, and other jazz greats. One of the most famous sessions he played on took place in 1945, when Stewart played with Dizzy Gillespie's group (which featured Charlie Parker). Out of those sessions came some of the classics of bebop such as "Groovin' High" and "Dizzy Atmosphere." Throughout the rest of his career, Stewart worked regularly and employed his unique and enjoyable bass-playing style. He died in 1987 in Binghamton, New York.

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[5705Seahorse]

It's impossible to listen to this without smiling! I first came accross Slam on Art Tatum's Tea for Two and was hooked. A unique artist.

[norman lawrence]

My Uncle Slam!!!

[norman lawrence]

Uncle Slam to me as he once dated my great aunt Gwendolyn.

[Amy Barlow Liberatore]

His wife, Claire, was a damned fine pianist in her own right. She's the reason he settled in Binghamton in those final years, and they used to gig around town just for fun when he was off the road.

[twangbarfly]

FANTASTIC!! Thanks for posting this gem. 1945??? It sounds timeless to my ears :-)

[zenbooter]

scratchsound77 for the tune

[zenbooter]

i've been surfin wide& long for a name and bingo i found it on your vid,the name,, Major Holley.a dude posted a vid with him mumbling behind Lester Young and man i could not id him til just now , thanks and for your other stuf.

[ljliljohn]

My man, Slam.