Slim Gaillard Siboney (CD)

Slim Gaillard

The jazz world produced more than its fair share of individuals, and Slim Gaillard succeeded in becoming the most individual of individuals. Ever since "Flat Foot Floogie" hit the top of the Slim's life reads like a Hollywood script. He was born Bulee Gaillard in Detroit on January 4th, 1916, or if you prefer the other version in Santa Clara in Cuba on New Year's Day 1916. Slim led an adventurous childhood, by the age of 12, during his school holiday, he travelled Hit Parade in 1938, Slim Gaillard has been the number one (and perhaps only) jazz surrealist.

The lyrics of "Floogie" were incomprehensible and from there on Slim went on to develop his private jive talk language, which Slim called Vout. By the mid-forties most of the hip catch phrases were derived from Slim's surrealistic jargon and were immortalised in 20th century literature in Jack Kerouac's key novel "On The Road" from which we quote the following extract. "Now Dean (Moriarity) approached him, he approached his God: he thought Slim (Gaillard) was God: he shuffled and bowed in front of him and asked him to join us. "Right-oroonie" says Slim; he'll join anybody but wasn't guaranteed to be there with you in spirit. Dean got a table, brought drinks, and sat stiffly in front of Slim. Slim dreamed over his head...