Slim Gaillard
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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.
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'.
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.
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 childrens' 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.
Gaillard appeared in the 1970s TV series Roots: The Next Generations and by the early 1980s he was touring the European jazz festival circuit, playing with such musicians as Arnette Cobb.
He appeared in the musical film Absolute Beginners (1986) singing "Selling out".
Quotation
- Hit that jive, Jack
- Put it in your pocket till I get back
- Goin' downtown to see a man
- Ain't got time to shake your hand