Oop Bop Sh'Bam

Oop Bop Sh'Bam is a jazz standard by Dizzy Gillespie. It has been described as "tailor made for tenor saxophone".[1] The song title and word usage developed from "verbalizing the sounds of the new music [bebop]".[2] The scat lyrics "Oop bop sh'bam a klook a mop" are an homage to drummer Kenny Clarke, nicknamed "Klook", who played drums in a 1946 recording of the composition with Gillespie's sextet.[3][4]

"Oop bop sh'bam" is based on the "Rhythm changes" chord progression with a new middle eight. It was written by Gillespie with Gil Fuller taking writing credit in order to secure publishing royalties.

References

1. Cole, Bill (2001). John Coltrane. Da Capo Press. p. 44. ISBN 0-306-81062-X.
2. Communications, Emmis (May 1976). "Texas Monthly". Domain: The Lifestyle Magazine of Texas Monthly. Emmis Communications: 42. ISSN 0148-7736.
3. Harris, Hyland. "Clarke, Kenny "Klook" (Kenneth Spearman)". Encyclopedia of Jazz Musicians. Archived from the original on September 22, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
4. Kernfeld, Barry (1999). "Clarke, Kenny". American National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1802594.