Bumble Bee Slim born 7 May 1906

In 1928 he settled in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he met pianist Leroy Carr, who with guitarist Scrapper Blackwell formed one of the most innovative blues duos of the period. Easton, now using the stage name Bumble Bee Slim, was impressed by Carr’s light, expressive singing and by Blackwell’s guitar technique, and their influence can be heard throughout Slim’s work. After refining his skills by playing halls and rent parties, Slim moved to Chicago. In 1931 he made his first recordings for Paramount Records, “Stumbling Block Blues,” “Yo Yo String Blues,” and four others. The following year his song ”B&O Blues” was a hit for Vocalion Records, inspiring a number of other railroad blues and eventually becoming a popular folk song. 

Between 1934 and 1937 Slim recorded more than 150 titles. His wry, streetwise songs, while not particularly innovative, reflect the realities of African American life during the Great Depression and convey the warmth and resilience of Slim’s personality. During this period Slim released two or three records a month for the Decca, Bluebird, and Vocalion labels, often accompanied by such skillful musicians as Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Minnie, Tampa Red, Washboard Sam and Peetie Wheatstraw. In contrast to the raw, emotional blues of earlier artists, Slim’s material and vocal delivery were light and even frivolous, an approach welcomed by many listeners during the hard times of the depression. 

Slim with Georgia White

By 1937 Slim had become frustrated with the limitations of the piano/guitar arrangements imposed on him by his record companies, as well as by the limited income he was receiving from his work and by the following year he was dropped by all three labels. He returned to Georgia, then relocated to Los Angeles, California, in the early 1940s, apparently hoping to break into motion pictures as a songwriter and comedian. He soon went back to blues music, however. 

During the 1950s he recorded several albums for Fidelity, Marigold and Specialty, but these made little impact in a marketplace dominated by the new rhythm-and-blues sound. In an effort to cross over to the growing white audience for blues, he recorded his final album for the Pacific Jazz label with jazz musicians, but it too failed to sell. Slim continued to perform in clubs around Los Angeles until his death on June 8, 1968 aged 62. 

Bumble Bee Slim was a forgotten legend of his time. Although his instrumental skills are considered less accomplished than many of his contemporaries, he is remembered for his ability to write great blues lyrics and his vocal delivery. His Complete Recorded Works have been reissued on several CDs by the Document label. 

(Edited from Wikipedia & The  New Georgia Encyclopedia)