Jazz Articles about Slim Gaillard

Slim Gaillard: Laughing in Rhythm

by AAJ Staff
October 22, 2003

Does it really matter if Slim Gaillard was born in Detroit, Michigan or Santa Clara, Cuba? Is it important to know with certainty whether he was accidentally abandoned for half a year in Crete by his seafaring father?

I say no. Slim Gaillard the entertaniner spun tales both musical and verbal for effect, for laughs and notoriety. He spoke with authority and glibness in a jive tongue all his own. He knew what to do when the spotlight ...