A Rifftides reader recently confessed to never having heard Slim Gaillard’s “Poppity Pop,†a 1945 recording with Charlie Parker as a sideman. The record might be dismissed as a period piece, a novelty, if it did not also include trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, tenor saxophonist Jack McVea, pianist Dodo Marmarosa, drummer Zutty Singleton and Gaillard’s frequent collaborator bassist Bam Brown. With that lineup, it was a gathering of mid-1940s Los Angeles all-stars. On the off-chance that there may be other Rifftidesians who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Gaillard (1916-1991), here’s your introduction to “Poppity Pop.†It will be followed by another Gaillard classic with the same participants, also originally issued on the Bel-tone label. The title explains everything. It’s “Slim’s Jam.
(Photo: David Redfern)
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Hope that helps.