Slam Stewart found success in the late 30’s playing with singer, guitarist and humorist Bulee Slim Gaillard. Slim & Slam were mostly a novelty act but listen to the musicality of Bassology.

Slam’s deep technique soon found admirers and throughout the 40’s he played with many of the best musicians of the 40’s, from Art Tatum to Charlie Parker.

His soloing technique was unique, He used a bow and hummed audibly (but an octave higher) the notes he was playing on the bass. The duet he played with Don Byas, I Got Rhythm, found its way into the Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz for being a perfect example of the transitional phase between 40’s Swing and 50’s Bebop. Legend has it the rest of the band was very late when Byas and Stewart decided to start playing “I Got Rhythm”.