Jazz Bassist From Huntington Posthumously Honored With 'Sideman' Award

STONY BROOK, NY — Lloyd Trotman, a jazz bassist, was posthumously honored with the "Sideman" Award by The Jazz Loft and the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHoF), according to a news release.

Trotman, a Huntington resident, played the iconic bass riff at the beginning of the hit song "Stand by Me." His daughter, Linda Trotman, accepted the award for her father. Trotman, born on May 25, 1923, died on Oct. 3, 2007. He would have been 100 this year.

Trotman was the house sideman for Atlantic Records and played with Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn and on many notable hits, including "Yakety Yak," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," and Dinah Washington's "What Diff’rence A Day Makes."

"I am so thankful that my father is being recognized with this award," Linda Trotman said in a news release. "I know he is still here with me, and I wish he could accept the award himself. I am honored to be the one to accept it in his place, as I honor his 100th birthday."

Linda created a website in honor of her father, who she calls the "Sideman to the Stars."

In Trotman’s honor, The Jazz Loft created the Lloyd Trotman Bassist Series, sponsored through
a gift from Linda Trotman. The series presents bassists of note at The Jazz Loft. The Trotman
funding is matched with the Robert Lion David Gardiner Foundation’s donation of $5,000, along
with additionally pledged funds thanks to long standing Jazz Loft donors Dan Oliveri and
Michael Ardolino of Realty Connect USA.

The Jazz Loft is at 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook. For more information, people may call
631-751-1895 or buy tickets on The Jazz Loft website.