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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZGAILLARD, Slim(b Bulee Gaillard, 4 January 1916, Detroit; d 26 February 1991, London) Singer, songwriter; played piano, guitar, vibes. His duo Slim and Slam with bassist Slam Stewart had several hits '38-9, of which the biggest was 'Flat Foot Floogie', a huge novelty hit on Vocalion, covered by Fats Waller, Benny Goodman, the Mills Brothers, many others. Compilations included Groove Juice Special '96 on Sony Legacy; three-CD Slim And Slam: Complete Recordings 1938-42 on Charly UK). He worked on the West Coast '45-6 after military service, then New York City. He said an early fan in west coast clubs was movie star Ronald Reagan. Other hits (co-written with Lee Ricks) were 'Cement Mixer (Put-ti Put-ti)' (Alvino Rey had the biggest of several hit versions '46) and 'Down By The Station' (Tommy Dorsey, Guy Lombardo in top 20 '49). He invented a jive language e.g. 'vout oreenie', an expression of approval. He was not a jazzman, but certainly part of the scene; he recorded with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Jack McVea '45 (see McVea's entry; the four tracks are in Savoy's Complete Charlie Parker). When bop was attacked as degenerate (e.g. by L.A. 'disc jerkey' Ted Steele), Gaillard's 'Yep Roc Heresay' was quoted as example of lyrics 'full of bawdiness, references to narcotics' etc: in fact it was a recitation of a menu from a restaurant serving Middle Eastern food. Slim's daughter was married to Marvin Gaye. He lived in the UK for years, an amusing (and amused) raconteur on UK TV '80s. He made an album for Dot '58; Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere on Hep was recorded in London '82 with Buddy Tate and Jay McShann; In Birdland 1951 collected broadcasts, also on Hep. Siboney (Indigo '97) featured Cuban music, a lifelong love of Gaillard's. |