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2 unusual facts about Fats Waller


Darlene Remembers Duke, Jonathan Plays Fats

The duo put their own unique interpretation on the music of Duke Ellington and Fats Waller with Stafford singing deliberately off key, while Weston plays an out of tune piano.

Thomas Waller

Fats Waller (1904 — 1943), American jazz pianist, organist, composer and comedic entertainer


Dinah Washington

Her first record for Mercury, a version of Fats Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin'", was another hit, starting a long string of success.

Floyd O'Brien

O'Brien had recorded with Freeman as early as 1928; other recordings include with Eddie Condon (1933 and later), Fats Waller, Mezz Mezzrow, George Wettling (1940), Charles LaVere (1944), Albert Nicholas (1959), and Smokey Stover.

Gene Sedric

He returned to New York City and played with Fletcher Henderson and Alex Hill, then joined Fats Waller's Rhythm in 1934, remaining in Waller's employ until 1942.

Graham W. Jackson, Sr.

Jackson's musical career—especially as a theatre organist—is linked to a rather small and select company of other African American musicians who practiced that specialized art such as Bob Wyatt, Fats Waller, and Jimmy Paulin.

I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter

The first big hit version (#5 on the Billboard charts) was by Fats Waller recorded on May 8, 1935 (Victor 25044), reaching further heights in the charts (#3) for the Boswell Sisters in the following year (January 6, 1936—Decca 671 B (60302-A)).

Louis Mazetier

Although Dr. Mazetier is influenced by earlier jazz pianists, such as Eubie Blake, James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, Don Ewell, Johnny Guarnieri, Dick Wellstood, and Art Tatum, his greatest influence appears to be the American stride pianist, Donald Lambert, 1904 - 1962.


see also

Ed Kirkeby

As Fats Waller's manager he also acted as his archivist building a collection which is held today by the Institute of Jazz Studies.