# Slam Stewart was a superior swing-oriented bassist: Video

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2017/09/21/slam-stewart-superior-swing-oriented-bassist-video/
- Published: 2017-09-21T22:56:52+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**21.09. – Happy Birthday !!! Slam Stewart was a superior swing-oriented bassist
whose ability to bow the bass and hum an octave apart made him famous in the jazz
world. He had thought of the idea while studying at Boston Conservatory when he 
heard Ray Perry singing along with his violin.**

In 1936, Stewart was with Peanuts Holland’s group and the following year he started
playing regularly with guitarist/singer/comedian Slim Gaillard in a group logically
dubbed “Slim and Slam.” “Flat Foot Floogie” became a huge hit and kept the group
working through the early ’40s.

After leaving Gaillard, Stewart was in great demand. He played with Art Tatum’s 
trio, was featured on records with the Benny Goodman Sextet, Red Norvo (a famous
session with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie), and Lester Young (a classic rendition
of “Sometimes I’m Happy”), and led his own group which for a period featured the
up-and-coming pianist Erroll Garner.

Stewart performed a couple of stunning duets with tenor saxophonist Don Byas at 
a 1945 Town Hall concert and later worked with Billy Taylor, Roy Eldridge, the Newport
All- Stars, and a countless number of other jazz greats. He even recorded two albums
with bassist Major Holley (who also bowed and hummed but in unison).

In the 1950s and 1960s he played with Beryl Booker and Rose Murphy, recording some
singles with both and a duet album with Murphy. The 1970s brought Slam, and other
famous swing-era musicians, to Europe where he toured and recorded several albums
as a leader and as a sideman for Black & Blue Records in France (most of which have
been re-released on CD). Slam also recorded with Bucky Pizzarelli in the 1970s and
on Slam’s final album in 1987, released as a benefit for the Sertoma club.

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