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The Amazing Fats Waller.
Who was he and what was his
significance?
Thomas Wright Waller otherwise know
as Fats Waller is considered to be
one of the three big stride masters
along with James Johnson and Willie
the Lion Smith during the early
twenties. He was born in 1904 in
rural Virginia. His parents then
moved to New York City.
Waller lived for a mere 39 years and
died in 1943. His music is generally
placed in a transitional category
and is not as popular or well known
today due to the greater familiarity
and popularity of ‘modern’ jazz.
Nevertheless, his fame and influence
extend far and wide. Whereas his
mentor James Johnson ‘retired’ into
relative obscurity, Waller went on
to a brilliant career as composer,
pianist, organist, vocalist, radio
personality and showman, blithely
creating one evergreen tune and
piano masterpiece after another. His
legacy is that of a worldwide
influence on jazz and popular
musicians to this day and the
seminal figure in a school of piano
playing that includes Count Basie,
Duke Ellington, Art Tatum and Oscar
Perterson.
To hear a recent performance of two
of Wallers great solos, see
Handful of Keys and
Carolina Shout.
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