Hellzapoppin'

Your Rifftides item on Slim got me playing my LPs of his (as well as enjoying again the clips of him that I have on a DVD called The Small Black Groups).

Regarding the other musicians, the liner notes on Hep LP6 (by a German) mention that in "Hellzapoppin'," he appeared with Rex Stewart, Buster Bailey, Vic Dickenson and Sonny Greer. I will have to have another viewing of the clip linked from Rifftides, but the drummer looked somewhat like Scatman Crothers, although the liking for the tympani was certainly a Greer factor.

What a great clip. From what I've been able to find, the trombone player is Jasper "Jap" Jones, who was one of the original Blue Devils. Around 1945-46, he played in Johnny Otis' band. It would be worth trying to find out more about him -- he sounds terrific.

according to a couple of Internet sources (reliability not guaranteed):

Slim Gaillard - piano, guitar
Slam Stewart - bass
Rex Stewart - cornet
Elmer Fane - clarinet
Jap Jones - trombone
Cee Pee Johnson - drums

From one source:

"An interesting sidenote: Whitey's Lindy Hoppers' routine in Hellzapoppin' was originally danced and choreographed to different music, namely 'Jumping at the Woodside'. Universal Studios had a composer who was on staff write new music for the routine."

Harlem Congaroo Dancers (aka Whitey's Lindy Hoppers):
William Downes (overalls) and Frances "Mickey" Jones (maid).
Norma Miller and Billy Ricker (chef's hat).
Al Minns (white coat, black pants) and Willa Mae Ricker.
Ann Johnson (maid)
Frankie Manning (overalls).

Frankie Manning (who is 94) is still alive:
http://www.frankiemanning.com/bio.php

Wasn't the trombonist Alton 'Slim' Moore? And the drummer Zutty Singleton? The dancers were The Harlem Congaroo troupe.

Steve Voce