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

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  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.