Profile of Slam Stewart on Famous Like Me

Leroy Elliott "Slam" Stewart
Slam Stewart
Born	September 21, 1914 Englewood, New Jersey, USA
Died	December 10, 1987 Binghamton, New York, USA

Slam Stewart was an African-American jazz bassist whose trademark style was his ability to bow the bass (arco) and simultaneously hum an octave apart. He was originally a violin player before switching to bass.

Biography

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" in 1938.

Stewart found regular session work throughout the 1940s with Art Tatum, the Benny Goodman Sextet, 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.

Discography

Studio albums

• Slam Stewart (1971)
• Fish Scales (1975)
• Two Big Mice (1977)
• Dialogue (1978)
• Shut Yo' Mouth! (1981)
• The Cats Are Swingin' (1987)
• Slam Bam (2000)
• Slamboree (2002)

Compilations

• Bowin' Singin' Slam (1945)
• Memorial Album 1914-1987 (1978)
• 1945-1946 (1997)
• Jumpin' at the Deuces

Sources

• Slam Stewart at the All Music Guide
• A Slam Stewart Biography

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