Slam Stewart!!!

Gilbert F · #1 05-09-2006, 09:22 PM

I don't post much on TB, but when I saw this video, I knew I had to post it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olrL1...slam%20stewart

Slam Stewart is one of my favorite all time bassists, and I haven't seen too many threads regarding him recently. I got turned on to him when my bass teacher played me a record of him playing/sing solo live, and I've been hooked ever since. Hope you enjoy the video.

Pcocobass · #2 05-09-2006, 11:07 PM

That is so killing! Thanks for posting.

JimmyM · #3 05-10-2006, 12:33 AM

bribass · #4 05-10-2006, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilbert F

I don't post much on TB, but when I saw this video, I knew I had to post it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olrL1...slam%20stewart

Slam Stewart is one of my favorite all time bassists, and I haven't seen too many threads regarding him recently. I got turned on to him when my bass teacher played me a record of him playing/sing solo live, and I've been hooked ever since. Hope you enjoy the video.

Hey Gilbert F, Thanks for posting this. I'm a big Slam fan as well.

Was that Slim Gallard of Slim & Slam on pn and guit?

BG

RiseOfTheWooten · #5 05-10-2006, 01:29 AM

will have to check this later

bassame · #6 05-10-2006, 07:06 AM

That is WOWZA!

mje · #7 05-10-2006, 07:07 AM

Too cool.

anonymous0726 · #8 05-10-2006, 09:58 AM

From Hellzapoppin' (1941), the hilarious Hollywood production directed by H.C. Pootter and starring zany commdians Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson, this clip features Rex Stewart (co), Jap Jones (tb), Elemer Fane (cl), unknown (ts), Slim Galliard (p,g,tap-dancing), Slam Stewart (b), Cee Pee Johnson (d), The Harlem Congaroos (dancers, AKA Whitey's Lindyhoppers).

ispider6 · #9 05-10-2006, 02:35 PM

Gilbert,

Thanks for posting this! You totally made my day. Love that Slammin' Slam Stewart!

bribass · #10 05-10-2006, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Parker

From Hellzapoppin' (1941), the hilarious Hollywood production directed by H.C. Pootter and starring zany commdians Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson, this clip features Rex Stewart (co), Jap Jones (tb), Elemer Fane (cl), unknown (ts), Slim Galliard (p,g,tap-dancing), Slam Stewart (b), Cee Pee Johnson (d), The Harlem Congaroos (dancers, AKA Whitey's Lindyhoppers).

Slim & Slam were virtual Pop stars in the 30's & 40's.

Not to get off topic, but don't you wish that Pop culture today was even slightly as hip as it was back then? All that sophisticated talent literally jumpin' and swingin' right off screen.

Now we have "It's hard Out Here For A Pimp" (won this years Oscar for best song) from the movie Hustle & Flow.

How far we've sunk. Just my .02.

BG

Will Yager · #11 05-11-2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bribass

Slim & Slam were virtual Pop stars in the 30's & 40's.

Not to get off topic, but don't you wish that Pop culture today was even slightly as hip as it was back then? All that sophisticated talent literally jumpin' and swingin' right off screen.

Now we have "It's hard Out Here For A Pimp" (won this years Oscar for best song) from the movie Hustle & Flow.

How far we've sunk. Just my .02.

BG

I concur wholeheartedly.

Don Higdon · #12 05-11-2006, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bribass

Slim & Slam were virtual Pop stars in the 30's & 40's.

Not to get off topic, but don't you wish that Pop culture today was even slightly as hip as it was back then? All that sophisticated talent literally jumpin' and swingin' right off screen....
How far we've sunk. Just my .02.

BG

Don't get me started. In the 50's, the music of teen rebellion was jazz. Jazz was all over the radio.
I remember taking a high school date to Birdland to see Slim Gaillard. Neither of us thought there was anything unusual about doing that.
You could also sit in the gallery, sometimes just 2 feet from the piano (as in Bud Powell) for about$1.25.

Don Higdon · #13 05-11-2006, 06:10 PM

I heard the LP recording of this -
In 1945, there was a jazz concert scheduled in Town Hall. There was a snowstorm, and the only two musicians to show up were Slam and Don Byas. So they went on stage and played as a duo. Astounding how harmonically complete the music was.

Tbeers · #14 05-11-2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

I heard the LP recording of this -
In 1945, there was a jazz concert scheduled in Town Hall. There was a snowstorm, and the only two musicians to show up were Slam and Don Byas. So they went on stage and played as a duo. Astounding how harmonically complete the music was.

I have a few Slam/Byas recordings myself... they're absolutely phenomenal. Any time I find myself thinking we do hipper stuff now than they did back then... I listen to Slam and Byas playing "Indiana." Daaaaamn!

Oh and Don, I know your point about the price of live jazz was sort of an afterthought, but I think that... it's just too complicated an issue to explain in terms of changing pop culture.

Tbeers · #15 05-11-2006, 06:44 PM

Interesting side note about Slam Stewart:

I met a guy who had dinner with Slam's widow many years ago. He said Slam's bass was in the corner of the living room, and he tried playing it but found it almost impossible because of an obscene string height and generally poor setup.

I have no doubt that Slam Stewart overcame setup issues that would be intractable for most modern players.

JimmyM · #16 05-11-2006, 09:14 PM

But how much of that was because it had been sitting around since Slam died? Maybe Slam kept it in good shape and it fell into bad shape after he died.

bribass · #17 05-11-2006, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

I heard the LP recording of this -
In 1945, there was a jazz concert scheduled in Town Hall. There was a snowstorm, and the only two musicians to show up were Slam and Don Byas. So they went on stage and played as a duo. Astounding how harmonically complete the music was.

I'd love to hear that. I've done alot of bass/tenor duo playing and when it's good I often have thought, "this is all you need".

"I have a few Slam/Byas recordings myself... they're absolutely phenomenal. Any time I find myself thinking we do hipper stuff now than they did back then... I listen to Slam and Byas playing "Indiana." Daaaaamn!"

I've have thought the same thing while listening to Slam. Ever hear his sides w/ Bird?

BG

thomasrhoward · #18 05-12-2006, 05:51 AM

Very cool vid! I'd never seen video of Slam before.

Being new to DB (having played slab for 25 years), the first thing I noticed was his baseball bat grip on the neck. There are always exceptions to the rules, right?

-tom

jkoffman · #19 05-18-2006, 10:20 AM

I'm a huge Slam-o-phile and collector. Always looking for anything Slam related: recordings, memorabilia, etc. PM me if you want to trade, sell or just talk Slam.

Also visit:
http://www.myspace.com/slamstewart