Arabian Boogie

Slim Gaillard and his Mysterious Stuffed Grape Leaves

Joshua Landis sent me a 1945 recording of the famous American jazz musician, Slim Gaillard, singing a tune entitled “Yep-Roc Heresay”, the lyrics of which are almost entirely in Arabic. Take a listen below and see if you can make out what he’s saying. That’s right, he’s singing about food: yabra (i.e. stuffed graped leaves), … Continue reading →