September 21, 1914 – December 10, 1987

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Bassist Leroy Eliot “Slam” Stewart was born on September 21, 1914 in Englewood, New Jersey.

As a young adult, Stewart heard the violinist Ray Perry sing along with his instrument, inspiring Slam to do the same. This would soon become his trademark style.

In 1937 “Slam” Stewart as he had come to be known teamed up with multi-talent guitarist and piano man Slim Gaillard to form the jazz novelty duo Slim and Slam. They would score their biggest hit the following year with the comically suggestive “Flat Foot Floogie (with a Floy Floy)”.

Much in demand, Stewart played with Lester Young, Fats Waller, Coleman Hawkins, Erroll Garner, Art Tatum, Johnny Guarnieri, Red Norvo, Don Byas, the Benny Goodman Sextet, and Beryl Booker, and many, many others.

Later in life in addition to performing regularly, Slam Stewart spent time teaching at Yale University and SUNY College in Binghamton, New York.

Slam Stewart performs with his trio in the 1947 film “Boy! What a Girl!”

Personnel:

Slam Stewart, bass & vocal
Beryl Booker, piano & vocal
John Collins, guitar

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